Interview With Prof. T. G. Sitharam: Human Capital As The Pillar Of India’s AI Journey

As India prepares to host the 2nd Global AI Impact Summit in February 2026 at Bharat Mandappam, New Delhi, the focus is firmly on how Artificial Intelligence can shape the nation’s future. At the heart of this journey lies human capital - the students, educators, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders who will define India’s role in the global AI ecosystem. In this exclusive conversation with Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chair of the Human Capital Chakra of the Summit, Outlook Magazine explores why empowering people is the cornerstone of India’s AI vision and how education, research, and industry collaboration can pave the way for a truly inclusive and transformative AI-driven future.

Outlook Magazine (OM): Professor Sitharam, India is set to host the 2nd Global AI Impact Summit in February 2026 at Bharat Mandappam, New Delhi. How significant is this event?

Prof. T. G. Sitharam (TGS): Hugely significant. The first edition was held in Paris, and it set the tone for global collaboration in Artificial Intelligence. For India to host the second summit, inaugurated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, is both a recognition of our capabilities and a call to action. It signals that India is ready to step forward not only as a participant but as a thought leader in the global AI ecosystem.

OM: You are chairing the Human Capital Chakra of the Summit. Could you explain why it is considered the central pillar among the seven chakras?

TGS: Absolutely. The seven chakras of the Summit; trust, inclusion, resilience, science, democratization, economic growth, and human capital; are all interlinked. But human capital is the anchor. AI is not just about machines, algorithms, or policies. It is about people; the students, the teachers, the researchers, the workforce, the policymakers. Without empowering people to understand, adopt, and innovate with AI, the other chakras remain incomplete. In that sense, human capital is the root system that nourishes the entire tree of AI nation-building.

OM: What does this mean in practical terms for India’s education and skilling ecosystem?

TGS: It means we must move beyond token skilling programs and make AI core to education at every level. The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) gives us flexibility, but many institutions are still treating AI as optional enrichment. That must change. Boards of Studies and Academic Councils have to reimagine curricula across disciplines; engineering, law, medicine, humanities; through the AI lens. A literature student should know how AI is shaping narratives, just as an agriculture student must grasp AI-driven precision farming. AICTE has made creation of R&D cell mandatory at all Engg colleges and more than 3000 institutions have created R&D cell.  Institutions shall build a robust research ecosystem, where every institution commits 5% of earnings to applied research and 10% to fundamental research. This dual track ensures both short-term innovations and long-term scientific breakthroughs.

OM: You’ve spoken of regional summits in the run-up to February 2026. How will these be structured?

TGS: Yes, this is critical. Last year in line with the AI vision of our honorable PM, we had planned the Mahakumbh of AI In November this year where it will be a melting pot of ideas, suggestions and actionables that shall also flow into the final report.

We are also launching a nationwide dissemination program: Some Human Capital Chakra Summits across India will be held between November 15th and January 31^st through online and offline. These will be hosted by institutions of eminence; from IITs and IIMs to leading state universities; spanning the North, South, East, West, and Central regions.

Each host institution will bring together academia, industry, government, and youth to deliberate on AI in their context. The discussions, case studies, and recommendations will feed into the final report ahead of the global summit. IIT Guwahati will coordinate centrally to ensure coherence.

OM: What role do you see for industry and corporates in this process?

TGS: A huge role. Corporates must align their CSR investments with AI skilling, education, and research. They can fund AI labs, sponsor curriculum development, and support faculty training. Industry also brings real-world case studies that make learning practical. The Summit is not meant to be abstract; it will showcase AI solutions across agriculture, manufacturing, governance, and healthcare.

Moreover, this is about market creation. As institutions and industries adopt AI at scale, demand for AI strategy consulting, skill certifications, and digital transformation services will surge. Those who engage early will enjoy a first-mover advantage.

OM: There is also the question of India’s global positioning. How do you see the Human Capital Chakra contributing?

TGS: By projecting India not just as a consumer but as an exporter of AI talent and solutions. We already lead in software services. With the right investments in human capital, we can become the AI talent factory of the Global South. At the Summit, we will benchmark against global best practices but adapt them to India’s unique context; our informal workforce, multilingual diversity, and resource constraints.

And by doing this inclusively, India can set a new global standard for democratizing AI literacy; from rural schools to advanced research labs.

OM: Finally, what do you hope will be the legacy of the Human Capital Chakra after the Summit?

TGS: A clear and decisive direction. We want India’s policymakers, educators, and industries to walk away with concrete recommendations; new accreditation models for AI-driven curricula, national skilling strategies, and mandatory institutional research contributions.

But more than documents, the legacy must be cultural. We want to seed a mindset where AI becomes part of India’s DNA of growth and governance. If we can achieve that, human capital will indeed be the central pillar of our journey to Viksit Bharat@2047.

OM: Thank you, Professor. This gives a clear and exciting picture of how the Human Capital Chakra will shape India’s AI journey.

TGS: Thank you. It is a collective effort, and I look forward to the participation of every stakeholder in this historic transformation.