The Aryavarth Express New Delhi [India], February 16: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) must play a central role in India’s artificial intelligence (AI) strategy as the country seeks to transform manufacturing and drive economic growth, said Gaurav Kataria of ITC Limited.
Speaking on the sidelines of the session “Democratizing AI Resources for Economic Growth and Social Good,” organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Kataria emphasised the need for inclusive AI adoption across enterprises of all sizes.
“MSMEs are absolutely a great focus and really required at this point in time,” he said, adding that while AI presents immense opportunities, it remains an evolving technology. “We all have to learn and evolve. It’s in its infancy. We must ensure that guardrails are in place. The government is doing a good job from a policy perspective, and we will continue to support these efforts.”
Kataria highlighted that discussions at the summit strongly focused on unlocking value in the manufacturing sector through AI — from machine learning applications to more advanced agentic AI systems. He described the range of perspectives shared at the event as diverse and insightful.
He stressed that successful AI implementation depends not only on technology but also on organisational preparedness. “People, process, and technology must remain the cornerstone of our focus within the larger ecosystem,” he said, underscoring the importance of balancing innovation with workforce readiness and operational alignment.
Calling the India AI Impact Summit 2026 one of the largest global gatherings dedicated to AI, Kataria said bringing leading global experts to New Delhi reflects India’s growing leadership in the field.
On India’s position in the global AI landscape, he remarked that the country is emerging as a “use case capital of the world,” shaping practical applications of AI across sectors. While acknowledging challenges typical of emerging technologies, he expressed confidence that India is moving in the right direction.
Kataria added that the summit would help unlock opportunities across both startups and established industries, accelerating AI-driven transformation in manufacturing and beyond.
