AI and sustainable development can together drive India's future: Industry leaders
Dalian, June 24
AI-powered technologies and collective action can accelerate sustainable development and transform critical infrastructure in India, industry leaders said on Wednesday.
Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions -- known as Summer Davos -- Jorgen Sandstrom, Head of the Transforming Industrial Ecosystem Programme, said India possesses significant opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable industrial development.
During his visits to projects such as Mundra in Gujarat and energy facilities in Hyderabad, Sandstrom observed that several initiatives are strongly focused on green energy and sustainability.
He said such environmentally friendly projects should be replicated across regions and sectors to support long-term economic growth.
"The projects I've seen in and around Mundra and in the Kutch desert are about vertical integration -- where you have clean power from one end and on the other side comes green ammonia, for example, or green steel or other types of cleaner products or cleaner services," he said.
"There could be cleaner shipping, cleaner transport, and electrification of industry. That is, of course, the way forward, and there are different ways of doing this," he added.
Speaking on the role of artificial intelligence and industrial transformation, Sandstrom said that economic growth requires attention to several policy areas beyond industry alone. He emphasised that the World Economic Forum is focusing on collective action, encouraging companies and institutions to work together rather than operating individually.
He noted that India has made significant progress in renewable energy, particularly in solar power and other clean energy projects. Large-scale installations in Gujarat's Khavda region and pumped storage projects in Hyderabad demonstrate the country's commitment to the energy transition.
According to Sandstrom, these developments could eventually support the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia, which have applications in transportation, agriculture and other sectors. He said the transition from traditional systems to sustainable models requires extensive planning, coordination and a systemic approach.
Meanwhile, Divanshu Kumar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Solinas Integrity, highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in urban infrastructure management. He said AI-powered robotic solutions are transforming sewer and pipeline maintenance across India.
Kumar said artificial intelligence helps identify blockages, leaks and structural defects in underground sewer and water networks. Robotic inspections also allow municipal corporations to maintain infrastructure more efficiently while reducing operational costs.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone working in urban planning, the mention of AI-powered sewer maintenance is spot-on. Our cities desperately need smart water management. But let's not forget the basics — we need robust data infrastructure first. Otherwise AI is just a shiny toy without real impact.
Renewable energy progress is commendable but what about the cost to local communities? Large-scale solar installations in Kutch need to ensure fair land compensation and local employment. Sustainability must be people-centric, not just green targets. 🌱
Good that international forums like WEF are noticing India's green energy push. But we need to move faster on rooftop solar and decentralised solutions. Centralised mega-projects are good but small-scale adoption will truly democratise clean energy access.
Impressive focus on green hydrogen and vertical integration. But transitioning from traditional industrial models will require massive reskilling of our workforce. Is anyone talking about the human capital side of this transformation? 🤔
AI in sewer maintenance sounds cool but let's be real — many municipal corporations still struggle to pay basic salaries. We need policy coherence and reliable power supply first. Technology is important but governance reform is equally crucial for sustainable development.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.