India’s Next Tech Leap Must Be Responsible and Inclusive, Say Industry Leaders
India’s Next Tech Leap Must Be Responsible and Inclusive, Say Industry Leaders India is observing National Technology Day 2026 at a time when technology is shaping nearly every part of daily life, from payments and logistics to artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and manufacturing.
Celebrated annually on May 11, National Technology Day commemorates the Pokhran-II nuclear tests conducted in 1998 under Operation Shakti, a milestone that marked India’s emergence as a nuclear power. Over the years, the day has evolved into a broader reflection on the country’s scientific and technological progress. This year’s theme, “Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth,” has placed the spotlight on building technology that is inclusive, secure, and future-ready.
Beyond Innovation, Toward Responsible Technology
Industry leaders said India’s next phase of growth will depend not only on innovation but also on how responsibly technology is developed and deployed.
Mani Vembu, Chief Executive Officer of Zoho, said India’s path to technology leadership lies in “owning the entire stack, from infrastructure and IP to manufacturing and deep technical knowhow.” He added that the country must continue investing in sovereign technologies across sectors such as healthcare, semiconductors, and defense.
Ajeya Motaganahalli, VP Engineering and Managing Director at data infrastructure firm Everpure India, said India’s AI ambitions must now focus on building resilient and trusted digital foundations. “The next frontier is resilience,” he said, adding that organizations need secure and scalable infrastructure to support AI systems reliably.
Several executives also highlighted concerns around trust, governance, and accountability as AI adoption accelerates.
Praveer Kochhar, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at AI startup KOGO AI, said the future of AI should be “private by design, accountable by architecture and inclusive by intent.” He warned that automation without equity could simply become “concentration of power dressed in the language of innovation.”
India’s Digital Infrastructure Story
The conversations around National Technology Day also reflected how India’s digital infrastructure has rapidly expanded over the last decade.
Ganesh Narasimhadevara, Director of Solutions Consulting at observability platform New Relic, said digital reliability has become a social responsibility in a country where millions rely on platforms such as UPI, healthcare systems, and government services every day.
Executives across fintech, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology echoed similar views, saying trust and resilience are becoming central to India’s digital economy. Industry leaders from firms including Neokred, TrendAI, and Qlik stressed the need for stronger cybersecurity, governed AI systems, and better access to data and digital skills as adoption widens.
Focus Shifts to Skills, Manufacturing, and AI
Beyond software and AI, leaders also pointed to India’s growing ambitions in semiconductors, robotics, and manufacturing.
Ashok Chandak, President of India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), said India is rapidly strengthening its semiconductor and electronics ecosystem through policy support, startup innovation, and global investments. He noted that semiconductor technology will become foundational to sectors ranging from healthcare and mobility to AI and telecommunications.
Meanwhile, executives from edtech platform Udemy, robotics firm Addverb, and marketing technology company Synergos highlighted the growing need for AI upskilling, human-machine collaboration, and more personalized digital experiences.
As India’s technology ecosystem expands beyond scientific institutions into businesses and everyday life, National Technology Day is increasingly becoming a reflection of how innovation is shaping the country’s economy, workforce, and long-term digital future.
