Tamil Nadu Minister Kumar R Calls for Ethical AI Ecosystem at FICCI Digital Disruption Summit 2026
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services, Kumar, called for the creation of an ethical artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem during the inaugural session of the FICCI Digital Disruption and Transformation International Summit & Exhibition 2026, held in Chennai on Thursday.
The summit, organised under the theme “AI by Design: India and Tamil Nadu’s Moment to Build, Own and Lead (Atmanirbhar Bharat/Tamil Nadu),” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts and academicians to discuss the future of AI and digital transformation.
Minister Stresses Ethical Use of AI
Addressing the gathering, Kumar said AI should be used responsibly to build a better future. He emphasised the need to establish an ecosystem that promotes the ethical use of artificial intelligence through collaboration among universities, research institutions and industries with global connectivity.
He said people should be made aware of the rapid technological changes taking place worldwide and highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing platforms involving policymakers, entrepreneurs, technology experts and developers.
The Minister also noted that students from institutions such as the ICT Academy, ITNT, IIT and other educational organisations have significant potential to develop and use AI responsibly. He added that an AI curriculum is planned to be introduced across all grades.
Tamil Nadu Positioned for Responsible AI Development
Rajaram Venkataraman, Convenor and Head of the FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council Technology Panel and Member of the FICCI National Committee on ICT, said Tamil Nadu has the advantage of an AI Research Park and the presence of several global IT companies, creating favourable conditions for building a responsible AI ecosystem.
He said industry, academia and government should work together, adding that AI leadership will depend on those who create and design AI technologies. He also noted that the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation could play an important role in preparing future AI developers.
AI Education and Data Policy Discussed
Atul Anand, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology and Digital Services Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, said industries require AI systems designed with ethics at their core and that human intelligence remains essential for solving real-world problems.
He stressed the importance of introducing AI education at the school level to prepare students for future industry requirements and called for a data-sharing policy that benefits multiple sectors.
AI Can Transform Multiple Sectors
Welcoming the participants, GSK Velu, Chairman of the FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council, said Tamil Nadu continues to attract global investments due to its skilled workforce, infrastructure, governance and citizen-centric services.
He observed that artificial intelligence has the potential to transform sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and education by improving access to services and enhancing efficiency.
In his concluding remarks, Bhupesh Nagarajan, Co-chair of the FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council, said the summit comes at a time when digital disruption is accelerating and AI is becoming increasingly important across industries.
The summit focused on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence, responsible innovation and the role of collaboration between government, industry and academia in shaping India’s digital future.
