DoT, COAI And STPI Showcase AI Ready Telecom Ecosystem At India AI Impact Summit 2026
The Department of Telecommunications, in collaboration with the Software Technology Parks of India and the Cellular Operators Association of India, organised two major sessions on telecom and artificial intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The discussions focused on strengthening India’s digital backbone and preparing networks for AI driven growth.
Sh Anil Bhardwaj, DDG SE, DoT, curated the sessions. Policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and innovators participated in the deliberations, which highlighted how AI is reshaping India’s digital connectivity.
Generative AI And Future Networks
The first session, titled Gen AI and Future Networks, examined the transformative impact of generative AI on next generation telecom infrastructure. Senior industry leaders and government officials shared insights on the evolving telecom landscape.
Speakers included Shyam Prabhakar Mardikar, President and Group CTO Mobility, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd; Randeep Singh Sekhon, Chief Technology Officer India and South Asia, Bharti Airtel; Jagbir Singh, CTO, Vodafone Idea; Syed Tausif Abbas, Deputy Director General, DoT; Gurvinder Singh Ahluwalia, Founder and CEO, Digital Twin Labs; and Jeanette Whyte, Head of Public Policy APAC, GSMA.
Panellists explained how AI driven predictive maintenance, intelligent spectrum optimisation and energy efficient network management are transforming telecom systems. As a result, networks are becoming adaptive and self optimising. Moreover, AI native architectures are enabling networks to support large scale AI workloads.
Speakers also emphasised that cloud and network systems are becoming increasingly agile. Boundaries between data centres, the cloud and telecom networks are gradually dissolving. Therefore, AI engines now seek computing power in real time and rely on compute on demand to deliver outcomes. In future, networks will offer on demand speed and ultra low latency connectivity. Consequently, users will experience seamless real time services, including applications such as AR and VR.
AI Powered Bharat And Secure Connectivity
The second session, titled AI Powered Bharat through Universal Digital Connectivity, featured a keynote address by Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development. Sanjeev Sharma, Deputy Director General, DoT, moderated the panel discussion.
Panellists included Robert Ravi, CMD BSNL; Lt General Dr S P Kochhar, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India; Vikas Garg, DDG SPPI, DoT; Ravi Gandhi, President and Chief Public Policy and Regulatory Officer, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd; Ambika Khurana, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea; Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel; and Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific APAC, GSMA.
The discussion explored how AI strengthens digital connectivity, enhances capacity building and helps tackle telecom fraud. Panellists stressed that universal and meaningful digital connectivity can only succeed when the last person receives reliable and quality service. They also underlined that network providers, policymakers and regulators share responsibility for secure communication.
In addition, DoT and telecom operators highlighted citizen centric initiatives such as Sanchar Saathi and FRI. These initiatives aim to enhance digital safety and protect users from fraud.
Leadership Engagement And Sectoral Vision
Dr Pemmasani visited key stalls at Bharat Mandapam and interacted with global technology firms and AI innovators. He also met Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, and appreciated the Ministry for organising the Summit.
Furthermore, a DoT delegation led by Secretary Amit Agrawal visited the AI Expo 2026. Senior officials observed innovations relevant to the telecommunications sector and explored use cases that could benefit citizens.
Through active participation in both sessions, DoT reaffirmed its commitment to enabling AI driven growth across sectors. The discussions highlighted a shared vision to strengthen India’s telecom infrastructure while ensuring that AI benefits reach every citizen.
