few years, we have a tremendous push under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on science and technology on every platform. This is being amplified in different ways, so the Principal Scientific Advisor’s role, which comes in this technology policy, is very important. This recognition really recognises our contributions in this field. It’s not a contribution to me. It’s a contribution actually to the entire nation and the entire ecosystem.

n some sense, this is honouring the science and technology growth in our country in the last many years. If you look at the list, under international members, we have members from 16 countries, and I am the one from India, and there are two other people of Indian origin, Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft and C. Jagdish, President of the Australian Academy of Sciences. We are three of Indian origin, so in that sense, it’s a very good honour, and I am grateful for this recognition

One reason that I feel very humbled by this recognition is also the people who have been elected before me in this academy. I see names of Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Laurence Olivier, you know Akira Guru, the famous filmmaker, Nelson Mandela, and so these names, as you know, are really like the world leaders in their own fields, and this makes you feel further humbled by this recognition.

IANS: How do you see the impact of the Indian diaspora on the global stage? How has the perception of India changed in the world in the last decade?

Ajay Sood: India is making a huge impact actually in all walks of science and technology, technology and innovation. You look at all the leadership in the top companies, that is where you will find Indian leadership. You will see that India as a country is highly respected and recognised for its innovative culture and innovative ways of doing science; we don’t follow people. We follow our own way of making something ahead in this ecosystem. Under Prime Minister Modi‘s leadership, India has launched many missions recently, for example, India, quantum mission, artificial intelligence mission, green hydrogen mission, and all these things are reflecting India’s growth story in science and technology, and India’s diaspora is making waves in all walks of science and technology.

IANS: How is India prepared in view of AI challenges and innovation?

Ajay Sood: India is well placed to take on the AI challenges, as you know that India launched a very big AI national mission. The office of Principal Scientific Advisor has a role to play in that, and AI is here to stay. AI will make a big, big difference in our lives, be it in our social life or scientific life, and this is where we need to take advantage of this, and we need to be leaders in this rather than followers.

The mission outlines seven verticals, and in all of those verticals, work is going on. The good news is, as we speak, AI is progressing extremely well in India. In the coming months, you will see the difference. Our minister has already announced India’s LLM foundation model, and substantial financial support has been given, and many more are in the pipeline in that direction.

IANS: How will AI change the work atmosphere in countries like India?

Ajay Sood: AI is not a replacement. It is an assistive technology and a disruptive technology, both. AI will tell us how we work differently. For example, the service-oriented sectors will be tremendously affected by AI intervention. So, we should not cry that the services are getting affected because when AI comes into picture, what people must see is how we use this technology to provide even better services or even new services, new products and not simply stick to the old services model which might get threatened with the coming of AI.