India’s Digital Dividend: Paving the path to global leadership in Digital Era

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India is positioned to become a worldwide leader in the digital economy, greatly contributing to global growth.

India’s Digital Dividend: Paving the path to global leadership in Digital Era

India is gradually establishing itself as a global leader in AI.

By Yezdi Nagporewalla

The global landscape is being defined by a ‘polycrisis’ – a combination of geopolitical circumstances, environmental changes and rapid technology upheaval. The complex web of challenges today creates significant uncertainty for businesses, governments and economies worldwide. Geopolitical changes, such as trade disruptions and shifting global alliances, are transforming the economic landscape, making it essential for policies to be flexible and adaptable in order to help sectors remain resilient in these turbulent times.

Despite this uncertainty, India serves as a vital catalyst of digital advancement. The country’s digital revolution, led by programs such as ‘Aadhaar’ and the ‘Digital India’, is empowering citizens and closing the urban-rural disparity. With over 950 million internet users and the BharatNet initiative linking almost 200,000 village councils, India is exhibiting the transformative power of technology to connect individuals and drive equitable prosperity.

Furthermore, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which facilitated more than USD1.6 billion in transactions, demonstrates India’s unique ability to adopt emerging technologies for digital inclusiveness, catalysing economic development. India’s emphasis on workforce evolution, through initiatives such as Skill India, which trained 400 million citizens in varied capabilities, positions the country to meet the demands of a fast-changing employment market.

Global uncertainties and geopolitical risks have disrupted markets and businesses, creating vulnerabilities across sectors and economies, including India. These challenges highlight the urgent need for countries and organisations to adopt strategies that build resilience and ensure long-term stability. In this context, the implementation of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a critical tool for fostering resilience. By enabling predictive analytics, optimising operations and driving innovation, AI empowers businesses to adapt to disruptions and navigate complex global dynamics, while also reshaping the workplace and redefining productivity.

India is gradually establishing itself as a global leader in AI. The IndiaAI Mission, along with large investments in AI infrastructure, is creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and a trained workforce. With a concentration on STEM education and an increasing emphasis on women in STEM professions, India is building a talent pool capable of driving AI research, development and implementation.

Collaboration is critical to India’s digital transformation. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) between the government, academia and the private sector are essential to drive innovation and enhance growth prospects. Initiatives such as National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) exemplify the collaborative mindset by bringing together government authorities, educational institutions and technology companies to establish a digital infrastructure that allows broader access to quality education and upskilling capabilities across India.

India is actively charting its own path in the digital era by harnessing technology, encouraging innovation and developing a talented and inclusive workforce. The country is positioned to become a worldwide leader in the digital economy, greatly contributing to global growth and realising its vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047’.

(The author is Chief Executive Officer, KPMG in India)

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