At Technopark event, Rahul Gandhi speaks on AI, skills, and India’s tech future

Technopark Trivandrum>> Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called for stronger skills development and a renewed focus on manufacturing while interacting with technocrats, startup founders, and entrepreneurs during a dialogue on “Technology, Innovation and Opportunity” held at Technopark.

Around 200 members of the technology community attended the interaction, which was received with enthusiasm and applause from the audience. The session was moderated by Tony Thomas, a global leader in digital and information technology.

Speaking about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Rahul Gandhi said technological advancement does not eliminate jobs but relocates them. The real challenge, he noted, is ensuring that people develop the skills required to take up the opportunities created by these new technologies.

Describing himself as “a politician who wants to build politics on truth,” he emphasised the importance of curiosity and persistence in whatever role one undertakes. People should not confine themselves to narrow identities or labels, he said, adding that continuous learning improves what he described as the brain’s “elasticity,” helping individuals adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Reflecting on India’s IT journey, he recalled that when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi envisioned software development in India, the idea was once described as “crazy” by the CEO of General Electric. Today, he said, that vision has become one of the foundations of India’s globally recognised IT ecosystem.

Expressing concern that much of the world’s production, including components used in technologies such as drones, is concentrated in China, he said India must strengthen its focus on manufacturing rather than becoming primarily a consumer-driven economy.

Rahul Gandhi also highlighted the need to democratise production systems so that technological progress benefits smaller businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. Calling for reforms in the Goods and Services Tax system to make it more supportive of MSMEs, he said governments must clearly communicate the country’s direction so that citizens and businesses can prepare for future opportunities.

TechnoparkToday.com