Adani Urges Students to Embrace AI, Says Technology Will Drive Inclusive Growth, Not Job Losses

Pune |  Artificial Intelligence does not mean machines replacing human thinking, but rather humans enabling machines to think for them and drive progress, said renowned industrialist Gautam Adani on Saturday. Describing the present era as an AI revolution, Adani called upon students to adopt this technology to contribute to their own growth as well as the nation’s development.
Adani was speaking at the inauguration of the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, established by Vidya Pratishthan at Baramati. Veteran leader and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar presided over the function. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, MP Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, Preeti Adani and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Addressing concerns surrounding Artificial Intelligence, Adani said fears about machines replacing humans and large-scale job losses were misplaced. History shows that every major revolution—be it the industrial revolution, the era of electricity-driven mass production, or the digital revolution—has ultimately led to a significant increase in employment rather than its decline, he pointed out.
Adani said effective use of AI has the potential to take knowledge and prosperity to the grassroots level of society. AI-driven solutions can substantially enhance productivity and decision-making capabilities. Farmers, he noted, can move beyond being mere producers to becoming traders, with easy access to data related to soil health, seeds, crop quality, market trends and logistics.
Similarly, women engaged in small-scale household production in villages can use AI for product design, marketing, market access and supply chain management, enabling them to emerge as entrepreneurs, he said.
However, Adani stressed that to achieve this vision, India must urgently build its own AI ecosystem, including data centres, microchips, energy resources and robust infrastructure. Failure to do so could allow other countries to capitalise on India’s skilled human resources, he warned.
He further announced that the Adani Group would actively support the growth of Artificial Intelligence by making significant investments in energy generation and allied sectors. The group will also enter into a cooperation agreement with the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence to help develop skilled manpower in this field.
In his presidential address, Sharad Pawar said the centre is the country’s first non-governmental institution to provide training in advanced AI technologies. He described Vidya Pratishthan’s initiative as a historic step and said Gautam Adani’s journey from humble beginnings to building a global business empire was truly inspirational for students, which is why he was specially invited to inaugurate the centre.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also addressed the gathering, while Vidya Pratishthan Secretary Adv. Neelima Gujar proposed the vote of thanks.