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Philips CEO Roy Jakobs: India Poised to be Global AI Powerhouse

Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips, expressed strong confidence in India's potential to become a global AI leader during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. He emphasized the transformative power of AI, particularly for improving healthcare outcomes worldwide. Jakobs highlighted India's strong software talent pool and Philips's 97-year presence in the country as foundational strengths. He called for collaborative ecosystems involving industry, government, and policymakers to advance AI responsibly.

Key Points: Philips CEO Backs India as Future Global AI Leader

  • India's software talent is key for AI
  • AI's transformative role in healthcare
  • Collaboration between industry and government is vital
  • Responsible AI development needs all stakeholders
2 min read

Philips CEO Roy Jakobs hails India's potential as 'AI Powerhouse'

Philips CEO Roy Jakobs highlights India's software talent and long-term presence as key factors positioning it to lead in global AI development.

"I strongly believe that India should be a powerhouse in AI. - Roy Jakobs"

New Delhi, February 19

Roy Jakobs, President and CEO of Royal Philips, on Thursday expressed strong confidence in India's potential to become a global leader in artificial intelligence, highlighting the technology's transformative role in healthcare.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, Jakobs said he believes deeply in the transformative power of AI for people and societies.

"I am very happy to be here because I strongly believe in the potential of what AI can do for people. For us, it means how we can use AI to support better healthcare in India and the world," he said.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration between the industry, government, and policymakers.

"Forums like the AI Summit, where we bring together the best and brightest around AI, but also the government and the policymakers, make it the ecosystem you can rally around how we progress artificial intelligence because you need to do it in a responsible manner, and therefore it's important we take all stakeholders along," Jakobs added.

Jakobs said he believes India should be a global AI powerhouse, highlighting its strong software talent and 97 years of Philips' presence, positioning the country to lead AI development for India and the world.

"I strongly believe that India should be a powerhouse in AI. India has always been a powerhouse in software. As Philips, we have been 97 years in India. We have the biggest population of software innovators in India, and they're now working on AI. So I think India is very well positioned to take also a leadership role, not only developing AI for India, but also developing AI for the world," he said.

The India AI Impact Summit has brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators and civil society from across the world at New Delhi to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

The India AI Impact Summit, the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, reflects on the transformative potential of AI aligning with the national vision of "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (welfare for all, happiness for all) and the global principle of AI for Humanity. This summit is part of an evolving international process aimed at strengthening global cooperation on the governance, safety, and societal impact of AI.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
AI in healthcare could be a game-changer for rural India. I hope this potential translates into affordable diagnostic tools and telemedicine solutions that reach every village. The focus must be on 'Sarvajana Hitaya'.
D
David E
As someone working in tech, it's encouraging to see global leaders recognize India's ecosystem. The talent pool here in Bangalore and Hyderabad is incredible. The key will be retaining that talent and providing the right infrastructure.
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Rohit P
While the vision is great, we need to be cautious. We must develop our own data governance frameworks and not just follow Western models. AI for humanity should mean AI that respects Indian privacy and societal values.
S
Sarah B
Hosting the first global AI summit in the Global South is a significant move. It's time the narrative shifted. India can lead in creating equitable and accessible AI solutions that address challenges unique to developing nations.
K
Karthik V
Philips has been here for 97 years! That's a long-term commitment. Hope they and other MNCs truly invest in R&D centers here, not just for cost arbitrage but for genuine innovation. Our engineers are ready for the challenge.

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