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Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder of Infosys and Chairman of EkStep, and actor Anil Kapoor, have been honoured in TIME's prestigious list of top 100 global leaders in artificial intelligence (AI). Featured under the 'Shapers' category, these industry leaders reflect India's growing influence in the AI sector.
Vaishnaw is recognized for his leadership in India's AI regulatory landscape, emphasizing a balanced approach to innovation and safeguards. At the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024, he advocated for strong regulation to mitigate AI risks. The government, under his guidance, is building AI infrastructure, with over 10,000 GPUs, AI innovation centers, and a focus on quality datasets. The Rs 10,732 crore IndiaAI Mission aims to propel AI innovation while ensuring ethical oversight.
Nilekani, a pioneer in India’s tech landscape, is celebrated for advancing practical AI applications. Through EkStep and initiatives like the Open Cloud Compute (OCC) project, he seeks to leverage AI to enhance digital public goods. Nilekani, who also co-founded Aadhaar, argues that India should focus on AI use-cases that benefit the entire population rather than developing Large Language Models (LLMs).
Anil Kapoor’s inclusion highlights the intersection of AI with entertainment and legal rights. He secured a significant legal victory by preventing unauthorized use of his likeness through AI. The New Delhi High Court issued an injunction banning 16 entities from using Kapoor's name, voice, and image for commercial purposes. Kapoor's case underscores the growing importance of protecting personal rights in the AI-driven digital age.
These leaders exemplify India’s growing role in shaping AI’s future across technology, policy, and the creative industries.
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