KARNAL, India (AP) — Artificial intelligence is reshaping various sectors in India, significantly enhancing productivity while reducing costs and labor time. Farmers like Bir Virk are employing AI-driven technologies such as autonomous tractors to cultivate crops more efficiently. Meanwhile, educators like Swetank Pandey are utilizing algorithms to grade thousands of exam papers at test preparation facilities across the country.
In Karnal, Virk, using a tablet to activate his tractor’s autonomous driving feature, witnesses firsthand how technology is transforming traditional farming practices. The tractor, equipped with AI software and satellite navigation, performs tasks such as seed planting and fertilizer application with remarkable precision, maintaining an accuracy of 0.01 centimeters (0.004 inches). “I am able to farm very efficiently and I feel very happy that I do the work what my grandfather and father used to do,” said Virk, who invested approximately $3,864 in this advanced agricultural system.
Approximately 90 miles south in New Delhi, Pandey is implementing similar advancements in education. At his government job preparation institute, he uses AI to analyze and score handwritten responses from students preparing for competitive civil service examinations. Pandey claims that AI has streamlined the workload, allowing his team to evaluate tens of thousands of answer sheets in just 20 to 25 minutes. “If you have a better machine, bigger system, you can do it in two minutes,” he noted.
The surge in AI adoption is becoming increasingly vital for India’s agricultural and educational sectors. As early adopters like Virk and Pandey demonstrate, AI technology not only enhances operational efficiency but also addresses workplace challenges. India’s federal government is supporting this technological evolution by financing AI research and worker training programs, showcased at a recent five-day AI conference in New Delhi attended by global leaders and tech executives.
With nearly one billion internet subscribers, India has emerged as a key market for international technology companies. Microsoft recently announced a $17.5 billion investment over four years to bolster cloud computing and AI infrastructure in India. This followed Google’s commitment of $15 billion over five years, which includes the establishment of its first AI research center in the country.
However, the journey is not without its challenges. India struggles to develop comprehensive AI systems that rival those of competitors like America’s OpenAI or China’s DeepSeek. Key obstacles include limited access to advanced computer processors and data storage facilities, as well as the complexity of integrating hundreds of regional languages into AI models.
While investments in AI education and retraining are on the rise, the shift towards automation poses risks of job displacement. Tata Consultancy Services, India’s largest private sector employer, cut over 12,000 positions last year as AI technologies became more prevalent in its operations. As this transition unfolds, workers must adapt or risk losing their jobs.
Despite these concerns, the enthusiasm surrounding AI’s potential remains strong. Virk, who discovered AI-powered agricultural technology during his time in the United States, has been using his autonomous tractor since 2021. “Its most special feature is that it is self-learning,” he explained, emphasizing how this technology has halved his working hours.
At Pandey’s institute, AI not only assists with grading but also generates educational materials that resonate with students more effectively than those created by human instructors. “AI is able to give us in advance a basic idea of what the student is doing right now and what next he or she should do to be able to achieve their goals,” he said, highlighting the technology’s role in enhancing both efficiency and accuracy.
As India continues to embrace artificial intelligence, the broader implications for its economy and workforce will unfold in the coming years. The successful integration of AI across various sectors could redefine not only productivity standards but also the nature of work itself in one of the world’s most rapidly advancing digital economies.
See also
Andrew Ng Advocates for Coding Skills Amid AI Evolution in Tech
AI’s Growing Influence in Higher Education: Balancing Innovation and Critical Thinking
AI in English Language Education: 6 Principles for Ethical Use and Human-Centered Solutions
Ghana’s Ministry of Education Launches AI Curriculum, Training 68,000 Teachers by 2025
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