The third edition of the Economic Times (ET) Soonicorns Summit 2024 scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on September 20, 2024, will feature an insightful artificial intelligence (AI) track titled ‘India’s AI Edge,’ offering a TED Talk and a roundtable discussion.
India’s only dedicated summit to celebrate soonicorns—startups on the cusp of achieving unicorn status—is poised to host unicorn leaders, who will share their secret formulas, while soonicorn founders will reveal their journeys to this critical point, in a melting pot of ideas, information, and insights.
If you’re part of India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, the ET Soonicorns Summit in Bengaluru could be your gateway to fresh, forward-looking perspectives, especially as it dives deep into AI, one of the most disruptive and transformative technologies of our time.
ET Soonicorns Summit 2024: Why AI matters for startups
At the ET Soonicorns Summit 2024, with the overarching theme of ‘From Resilience to Resurgence’, a curated AI track, ‘India’s AI Edge’, will be in the spotlight. As AI continues to revolutionise industries globally, India’s startups must be prepared for both its immense potential and inherent risks.
The AI track at this summit will include a powerful TED Talk by Sangeeta Bavi, Executive Director – Digital Natives at Microsoft India, and a roundtable, featuring a stellar line-up of speakers:
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- Siddharth Bhardwaj, Co-founder and CTO, Beatoven.ai;
- Disha Ravi, climate justice activist and Founder of Fridays for Future India;
- Umakant Soni, Chairman, AI Foundry & Co-founder, ARTPARK;
- Sachin Malhan, Co-founder, Agami;
- Rohan Verma, CEO and Executive Director, MapmyIndia.
These curated sessions are set to arm India’s startup ecosystem with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary to harness AI for exponential growth.
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Why startups should care about AI
For startups, AI represents an unparalleled opportunity for growth. Whether it’s automating processes, improving customer experience, or creating entirely new products, AI can help startups scale faster and more efficiently. However, understanding how to navigate the ethical, legal, and regulatory landscape is equally important.
That’s why India’s AI Edge track at the ET Soonicorns Summit 2024 is a must-attend for anyone in the startup ecosystem. It offers a comprehensive view of AI’s transformative potential while providing actionable insights into how you can use AI responsibly and effectively.
Here’s a look at the sessions:
- TED Talk: Empowering India’s Deep Tech & AI Landscape- Speaker: Sangeeta Bavi, Executive Director – Digital Natives at Microsoft India.
In her TED Talk titled ‘Empowering India’s Deep Tech & AI Landscape: Policies, Perspectives, and India-First Models for GenAI Growth,’ Bavi will explore India’s unique position in the AI ecosystem. Drawing on her expertise at Microsoft, she will shed light on how India can leverage AI’s transformative potential to create socio-economic impact at scale.
Bavi’s extensive experience with Microsoft’s AI strategy and digital transformation initiatives positions her as a thought leader in this space. Her insights into India’s approach to AI innovation—and its ambitious adoption of Generative AI (Gen AI)—will offer attendees a clear roadmap about India’s strides in AI through the lens of policy, perspective, and the development of indigenous Gen AI models.
- Roundtable: Countering Deepfakes and Inauthentic Content – The Ethical AI Imperative
This roundtable will explore one of the most pressing challenges facing the AI landscape today: deepfakes and inauthentic content. As AI becomes more pervasive, the ethical implications of its use—particularly in media, security, and social governance—become more complex.
With panellists who bring a wealth of experience in AI technology, innovation, and policy, the discussion will focus on India’s AI policy and its role in shaping global AI regulations:
- Siddharth Bhardwaj, an expert in machine learning (ML) and audio technology, has pushed the envelope with Beatoven.ai, which applies AI to create personalised music. Armed with his technical expertise, Bhardwaj will shed light on how AI-driven content can be both beneficial and harmful;
- Disha Ravi, a climate justice activist, who was instrumental in setting up the Indian chapter of ‘Fridays for Future’—the global movement for climate justice founded by Greta Thunberg, an 18-year old climate activist from Sweden. Ravi, who is also a crusader against fake news, will bring in-dpeth perspectives into the damaging phenomenon of misinformation and disinformation;
- Umakant Soni, Chairman of AI Foundry and Co-founder of ARTPARK, has played a key role in building India’s AI ecosystem. With his mission to create AI solutions for billions of people, Soni brings a long-term perspective on AI’s role in addressing societal challenges, while navigating regulatory frameworks;
- Sachin Malhan, the Co-founder of Agami, will focus on legal innovation and justice reform. His expertise will guide discussions on the legal and regulatory challenges that startups face in a fast-paced AI world, offering solutions to promote responsible AI use;
- Rohan Verma, CEO and Executive Director of MapmyIndia, brings over 14 years of experience driving corporate strategy, growth, and innovation at various stages of MapmyIndia’s evolution. He has been instrumental in applying cutting-edge maps and location technologies to benefit individuals, businesses, and governments. His deep expertise in product and technology innovation, makes him well-placed to discuss the imperative of ethical AI through the lens of responsible and sustainable innovation, India’s AI policy, and the regulatory landscape.
Together, these experts will offer a rich exploration of how startups can responsibly deploy AI to counter bias while ensuring compliance with India’s AI policies.
AI in India: Transformative potential and risks
India’s AI ecosystem is unique in its approach to balancing innovation with regulation. Over the past decade, the Indian government has actively encouraged AI-driven solutions for sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and finance. With applications ranging from disease detection to financial inclusion, India’s AI strategy holds significant promise for transforming key industries.
However, as with any disruptive technology, AI poses risks. Deepfakes, biased algorithms, and unauthorised data use are challenges that require urgent attention. India’s AI strategy must address these issues head-on, not just for ethical reasons, but to ensure the long-term sustainability of its AI ecosystem. Through initiatives like Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and a focus on GenAI, India is taking meaningful steps to create a regulatory framework that fosters innovation while protecting public interest.
The ET Soonicorns Summit 2024, with its dedicated AI track, could be pivotal to gaining a deep understanding of how AI can drive your startup forward. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear from AI visionaries and connect with India’s most promising startups.
Register now and stay ahead of the curve. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI in India.
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upGrad is the skilling partner for the ET Soonicorns Summit 2024.
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