Vision AI India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, hosted the Emerging Tech Conference 2025 on October 5 at Dogra Hall. The event brought together top experts from government, academia, and industry to discuss how technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity are shaping the future of India’s innovation ecosystem. Participants explored how these emerging domains can strengthen India’s position as a global technology leader, driving growth, digital inclusion, and national resilience.

I’m writing about this because the way technology is evolving today will define the kind of world we live in tomorrow. Conferences like this are not just academic gatherings — they’re where ideas about AI-driven governance, quantum innovation, and digital trust are turned into national strategies. For India, a country rapidly digitising its governance, education, and enterprise sectors, the discussion around these technologies is timely and necessary. It shows how India is preparing to move beyond consumption to creation — leading in research, innovation, and responsible deployment of next-generation tech.

A platform for dialogue on India’s tech future

The Emerging Tech Conference 2025 served as a collaborative platform to discuss how advanced technologies can transform industries, improve decision-making, and support sustainable growth. Organised by Vision AI India, the conference highlighted the intersection of technology, innovation, and public policy, focusing on how India can use emerging tech to solve real-world challenges.

The event featured panel discussions, keynote sessions, and technical talks led by pioneers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. Representatives from NITI Aayog, MeitY, IITs, and leading tech companies participated in the discussions, offering insights into India’s digital priorities and the policy frameworks needed to sustain innovation.

Key topics discussed included:

• The role of AI in governance and citizen services
• The promise and risks of quantum technologies
• Ensuring cybersecurity in an interconnected world
• The rise of ethical AI and responsible data use
• Blockchain for transparent governance and financial systems

AI and governance: redefining public services

One of the major discussions focused on the use of AI in governance, where experts shared examples of how machine learning tools are being used in India to streamline administrative tasks, improve healthcare access, and enhance disaster management systems.

Panelists noted that AI has already begun transforming government processes — from predictive policing and smart city management to digital public service delivery. However, they also highlighted the need for strong ethical and legal frameworks to ensure fairness, accountability, and data privacy.

Speakers from NITI Aayog discussed the upcoming national AI roadmap, which aims to align public policy with responsible innovation, making India a trusted hub for AI development.

Quantum computing: the next frontier

Quantum computing emerged as one of the most talked-about themes at the conference. Experts from IIT Delhi and private research labs explained how quantum systems have the potential to solve problems that are impossible for classical computers — such as complex encryption, molecular simulation, and high-speed data processing.

Dr. Anand Krishnamurthy, a senior researcher in quantum technologies, noted that India is already investing heavily in this field under the National Quantum Mission (NQM). The mission’s goal is to establish quantum research centres and indigenous hardware capabilities by 2030.

He added, “Quantum computing is not just a scientific pursuit anymore; it’s an economic and strategic necessity. The countries that lead in quantum will lead in cybersecurity, defence, and digital innovation.”

Cybersecurity: protecting a digital nation

Given India’s expanding digital infrastructure and growing online population, cybersecurity featured as a core concern at the conference. Experts discussed how cyber threats — from data breaches to ransomware — are becoming increasingly sophisticated, requiring AI-powered defence systems and cross-border cooperation.

Speakers from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) stressed the need to train more cybersecurity professionals and integrate cybersecurity education in technical curricula. They also called for public-private collaboration to strengthen the resilience of India’s digital ecosystem.

One session focused on the use of AI for real-time threat detection, demonstrating how machine learning models can identify patterns of intrusion faster than traditional systems. The discussion also touched on cyber ethics and the importance of maintaining citizens’ trust in an age of digital surveillance.

Blockchain and digital trust

Another interesting aspect of the conference was the discussion on Blockchain technology and its potential to bring transparency to governance and financial systems. Experts explained how blockchain is being tested for land record management, supply chain tracking, and public procurement to reduce fraud and increase accountability.

According to delegates, the future of blockchain in India lies in its integration with government services, where decentralised systems can ensure both transparency and efficiency.

Dr. Kavita Sharma, a technology policy expert, said, “Blockchain offers India an opportunity to redefine trust in governance. If implemented correctly, it can eliminate many of the inefficiencies that have historically slowed down public systems.”

India’s innovation ecosystem and global collaboration

The conference also highlighted how India’s start-up ecosystem is becoming an integral part of its technological journey. Start-ups in AI, robotics, data analytics, and quantum computing showcased their solutions during an exhibition held alongside the event.

Industry leaders emphasised the importance of international collaborations to build research capacity and knowledge sharing. With India emerging as a global digital player, cooperation with countries like the US, Japan, and the EU was discussed as a way to accelerate progress in advanced research and product development.

The way forward: responsible innovation

Towards the end of the conference, a joint statement from Vision AI India and IIT Delhi underscored the need for “responsible innovation” — ensuring that technological growth benefits all sections of society. The speakers emphasised that India’s approach to technology should focus not only on competitiveness but also on ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability.

The key recommendations from the conference included:

• Expanding AI literacy across schools and universities
• Building public data infrastructure with privacy safeguards
• Increasing R&D investment in quantum and AI hardware
• Promoting women and underrepresented groups in tech innovation
• Encouraging cross-sector partnerships to bridge academia and industry