💰 AI Will Make the Rich Richer — But Here’s How It Can Still Save a Billion Lives

🧠 AI is concentrating wealth and power—and that’s inevitable.

🌍 But it can still improve lives for over a billion people if applied wisely.

🚫 India doesn’t need to chase the West’s AI race.

💡 Instead, it can solve real-world problems like healthcare and education.

❌ Nilekani is not a fan of universal basic income (UBI).

✅ He believes AI should amplify human potential, not replace it.

• Who: Nandan Nilekani – Co-founder of Infosys, Architect of Aadhaar & UPI

• What: Shared his perspective on AI’s social and economic impact

• When: At a recent Asia Society event

• Where: New York City

• Why: To spotlight how India should leverage AI for people, not just profits

Picture this:

You're sitting in a rural clinic in India. No doctor in sight. Just a community health worker and a smartphone.

That smartphone? It's powered by AI, scanning your symptoms and helping diagnose early-stage diseases.

Not some sci-fi fantasy—this is the kind of real-world magic Nilekani believes AI can deliver.

And yet… on the other side of the world, AI is also helping billionaires get richer, faster. 😶

The cat’s out of the bag. AI is here to stay.

From trading algorithms to robotic lawyers, the game is rigged in favor of the few.

But Nilekani doesn’t believe in playing defense.

Instead, he’s betting on a bold offense: AI for human development.

While the U.S. and China throw billions into an AI arms race, Nilekani says:

Here’s where India can flip the narrative:

Instead of building the next ChatGPT, we can build tools that:

🔹 Diagnose illness in remote villages

🔹 Translate content for low-literacy learners

🔹 Teach new skills in local languages

🔹 Empower small businesses with smart tools

Many futurists are calling for universal basic income (UBI)—a monthly paycheck from the government while robots do our work.

But Nilekani has a different take:

He’s advocating for empowerment over entitlement.

AI isn’t just for billionaires and Big Tech. It can do wonders when applied where it matters:

✅ Healthcare

• AI-assisted diagnostics

• Virtual doctors for remote areas

✅ Education

• Personalized learning tools

• Real-time translation for multilingual classrooms

✅ Skills & Jobs

• AI-powered upskilling

• Matchmaking for local gig workers

👉 Here’s your Think Ahead With AI Playbook from this edition:

• 🔍 Shift Your AI Perspective: Stop thinking only about profits—consider impact.

• 💬 Talk About AI Locally: Start conversations in your community about how AI can improve education, health, or employment.

• 🤝 Support People-Centered AI Projects: Fund, volunteer, or collaborate on grassroots tech initiatives.

• 🚫 Question the Hype: Don’t assume UBI is the only answer. Ask how AI can amplify your abilities instead.

• 📚 Upskill Smartly: Explore AI-powered learning tools that make you more adaptable in the changing world of work.

TAWAI envisions a future where AI is not just built for the world—but by those who truly understand its local challenges. That’s why we’re launching the Young Global Leaders Lab, a bold new initiative to nurture the next generation of ethical, impact-driven AI leaders.

• 🌱 Identifying Changemakers: We’re selecting young innovators across emerging markets with a passion for solving real-world problems using AI.

• 📚 Immersive Learning: Participants will dive into hands-on, human-centric AI projects focused on health, education, and sustainability.

• 🤝 Global Mentorship: We connect each leader with mentors from across academia, startups, and policy circles—ensuring diverse and inclusive guidance.

• 🚀 Prototype to Policy: The Lab emphasizes not just building solutions, but also influencing systems—turning prototypes into scalable, policy-aware impact.

1. Wysa (Mental Health & Well-being) 🧠

• What it does: AI chatbot offering mental health support, therapy exercises, and CBT-based tools.

• Use case: Accessible mental wellness for underserved communities where mental health professionals are scarce.

• Bonus: Used by over 6 million people globally, including in India.

2. Samasource (Skill Development & Data Labeling) 💼

• What it does: Provides AI training data services by employing workers from marginalized communities.

• Use case: Enables people in developing regions to earn dignified income by contributing to the AI economy.

• Bonus: Combines AI work with social impact, especially in Africa and South Asia.

3. Diagnosio by Infermedica (Healthcare Triage) 🏥

• What it does: AI-powered symptom checker and pre-diagnosis engine for frontline healthcare.

• Use case: Enables health workers to triage patients in areas with limited doctors.

• Bonus: Integrates with telemedicine platforms to extend rural healthcare reach.

4. Khan Academy with GPT-4 Tutor (Education & Tutoring) 📚

• What it does: AI-powered tutor provides personalized help to students in multiple languages.

• Use case: Equitable access to high-quality education across diverse geographies.

• Bonus: Tailored for school-level learners and supports vernacular learning goals.

5. Project Relate by Google (Accessibility & Language) 🔊

• What it does: AI tool helps people with non-standard speech communicate more effectively.

• Use case: Empowers individuals with speech impairments in educational and work environments.

• Bonus: Also aids translation and accessibility in diverse linguistic regions..

1. The rise of the AI architect: A career at the crossroads of code and strategy

2. Grok's new AI image, video generator can even make NSFW content: What is it

3. Force Motors Launches iPulse – An AI-Powered Platform for Fleet Intelligence and Predictive Diagnostics

4. Demis Hassabis on our AI future: ‘It’ll be 10 times bigger than the Industrial Revolution – and maybe 10 times faster

5. Google takes a dig at Apple's AI Siri delays ahead of Pixel 10 launch, says change your phone now

Join Our Elite Community For Comprehensive AI Mastery

🚀 Welcome to TAWAI ‘Generative AI In A Box’ Membership! 🌐🤖

Embark on an exhilarating journey into the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with our cutting-edge membership. Experience the power of AI as it revolutionizes industries, enhances efficiency, and drives innovation.

Our membership offers structured learning through the Generative AI Program and immerses you in a community that keeps you updated on the latest AI trends. With access to curated resources, case studies, and real-world applications, TAWAI empowers you to master AI and become a pioneer in this technological revolution.

Embrace the future of AI with the TAWAI ‘Generative AI In A Box’ Membership and be at the forefront of innovation. 🌟🤖

Sanjukta Chakrabortty
Gen. AI Explorer