- Pichai Urges Inclusive Deployment
- Farmers, Health Sectors Targeted
- Call for Inclusive AI
Article Today, New Delhi:
Google chief executive officer Sundar Pichai has warned that artificial intelligence must not become a tool that widens global inequality. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, he said access to advanced technology should not remain confined to wealthy nations or corporations. He argued that the next phase of digital transformation must prioritise inclusion. Otherwise, the digital divide risks evolving into what he described as an “AI divide”.
Poverty and Technology
Pichai said AI systems can support poverty reduction if deployed responsibly. He pointed to applications in public health, agriculture and small enterprise productivity. However, he acknowledged that uneven infrastructure and skills gaps could limit access. Therefore, he called for partnerships between governments and private firms to expand reach. He stressed that affordability and local relevance are critical to impact.
Healthcare Deployment
Google has piloted AI-based diagnostic tools in collaboration with governments in parts of Latin America, including El Salvador. According to company statements, these systems assist clinicians in identifying diseases in resource-constrained settings. Such projects aim to reduce diagnostic delays and lower costs. Meanwhile, public health experts caution that algorithmic systems require careful validation and oversight. Data privacy and regulatory compliance remain central concerns.
Poverty and Technology
Pichai said AI systems can support poverty reduction if deployed responsibly. He pointed to applications in public health, agriculture and small enterprise productivity. However, he acknowledged that uneven infrastructure and skills gaps could limit access. Therefore, he called for partnerships between governments and private firms to expand reach. He stressed that affordability and local relevance are critical to impact.
Healthcare Deployment
Google has piloted AI-based diagnostic tools in collaboration with governments in parts of Latin America, including El Salvador. According to company statements, these systems assist clinicians in identifying diseases in resource-constrained settings. Such projects aim to reduce diagnostic delays and lower costs. Meanwhile, public health experts caution that algorithmic systems require careful validation and oversight. Data privacy and regulatory compliance remain central concerns.
Support for Indian Farmers
Pichai also highlighted AI-driven weather forecasting models designed to assist farmers. India’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressure from climate variability. Advanced neural models, he said, can deliver localised forecasts and early warnings. In recent seasons, digital advisories reached large numbers of cultivators through mobile platforms. However, experts note that forecast accuracy varies across regions. In addition, digital access in rural areas remains uneven.
Language and Access
Language barriers continue to restrict digital adoption. Google is expanding AI research across multiple African languages and Indian regional languages. The aim is to enable voice interfaces and translation tools for underserved communities. Nevertheless, digital literacy gaps persist. Therefore, technology alone cannot guarantee equitable outcomes without investment in education and connectivity.
Jobs and Automation
Concerns over job displacement have intensified as AI systems automate routine tasks. Pichai rejected claims that AI will inevitably eliminate large-scale employment. Instead, he argued that automation can create new categories of work and improve productivity. However, labour economists warn that transition costs may fall disproportionately on low-skilled workers. Policymakers face the challenge of balancing innovation with social protection.
Governance and Responsibility
Pichai emphasised the need for responsible AI frameworks, secure data management and transparent governance. India is positioning itself as a major AI development hub. Yet regulatory clarity remains a work in progress. Therefore, calls for inclusive AI must align with enforceable standards and public accountability.
The broader debate now centres on whether AI will narrow inequality or deepen it. The outcome will depend less on technical capability and more on policy choices and institutional safeguards.
