As India accelerates its digital transformation journey, next-generation capabilities such as AI, analytics and data-driven platforms are fast becoming core economic growth engines. For sectors like IT-BPM and tech-enabled customer experience, AI is no longer experimental—it is central to improving productivity, decision-making, and global competitiveness.

Union Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to move from adoption to scale by laying out a clear roadmap for AI industrialisation. Focused support for R&D, investment-linked incentives, and policies that encourage private capital participation will be critical in building globally competitive digital enterprises.

Equally important will be accelerated development of data centre infrastructure, strong cybersecurity frameworks, and pragmatic data governance to enable large-scale enterprise AI deployment. With the right policy push, India can strengthen its position as a global hub for AI-led services, innovation, and high-value digital talent.

Akshay Chhabra, Chairman & Managing Director, 1Point1 Solutions