Tech Mahindra's Managing Director and CEO, Mohit Joshi, made a compelling appeal to global leaders to change their perspective on digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). During a panel discussion at the World Governments Summit held in Dubai, he stressed the need for governments and institutions to look beyond immediate cost benefits and focus on developing 'Sovereign Digital Systems'.
In a discussion moderated by Geeta Mohan, Senior Executive Editor (Foreign Affairs) at India Today Group, Joshi argued that the success of a nation's digital setup is determined not just by profit but by vision and long-term strategies. He firmly stated that if AI remains limited to job reduction or speeding tasks, its real power would go unrecognized.
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According to Mohit Joshi, AI's true purpose should be to enhance people's lives. He illustrated that technology could be harnessed to offer reliable healthcare services for as little as $10 per month. He warned that without this outlook, people may view AI as a threat to their employment.
Trust: The Core Strength of Digital Systems
Emphasizing 'Sovereign Digital Infrastructure', Joshi advocated that citizens must be the true owners of their data. They should have the right to share their data as needed and retrieve it after the task completion. He emphasized that in any digital system, trust is the paramount strength—it is difficult to build but easy to lose.
Tech Mahindra's 'Indus' Model
Joshi highlighted that most AI systems today are based on the English language, alienating large populations from technology. To bridge this gap, Tech Mahindra developed the 'Indus' model capable of understanding and utilizing approximately 27 Hindi dialects, thereby extending technological benefits to all segments of society.
Ukraine's Commendable Step in Telecom Networks
Supporting Joshi's views, VEON's CEO Kan Terzioglu cited Ukraine's example, showcasing how linking telecom networks with satellite systems offered direct connectivity to ordinary 4G mobile users.
In conclusion, Joshi recognized the challenges facing the Global South, even as the pace of technology adoption accelerates more than ever. He urged governments to create regulations and frameworks that make technology a powerful and transformative tool for society.
