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TRAI, STPI hold pre-summit event on AI in telecommunications
NEW DELHI: Artificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword waiting for its moment in Indian telecom. That moment, regulators and industry leaders agreed, is already here.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in partnership with Software Technology Parks of India, hosted a pre-summit event in New Delhi on AI in telecommunications, setting the tone for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Held at the STPI conference facility in East Kidwai Nagar, the meet drew policymakers, telecom operators, technology firms, startups and researchers to explore how AI is quietly but decisively rewiring networks and customer experience.
The day began with a ceremonial lamp lighting by senior TRAI and STPI officials, signalling both tradition and transformation. In his opening remarks, STPI director general Arvind Kumar summed up the shift neatly, saying telecom networks have evolved from being mere pipes into intelligent systems. He underlined the need for AI-led innovation ecosystems that bring together startups, academia and industry, adding that the 2026 summit would offer a roadmap for responsible and meaningful AI adoption.
TRAI secretary Atul Kumar Chaudhary followed by highlighting AI’s growing role in improving service quality, while stressing the need for regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation without losing sight of ethics and consumer protection.
The central message came from TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti, who described AI as a foundational capability for the next phase of India’s telecom journey. From network automation to spam detection, he said, AI is already shaping how services are delivered at scale. The real challenge now is governance. How AI is designed and deployed will decide whether telecom services remain trusted, inclusive and resilient. Transparency, accountability and fairness, he noted, must guide every application.
Special addresses from senior officials of MeitY, Coai, C-Dot and IIT Gandhinagar reinforced the call for collaboration, indigenous AI research and capacity building to support future-ready networks.
Technical sessions brought the discussion down to ground level. Speakers showcased how AI-driven predictive maintenance, traffic optimisation and anomaly detection are helping operators move from firefighting to self-healing networks, especially as 5G and fibre roll out across the country. Use cases ranged from intelligent network slicing and fraud prevention to AI-native architectures built for performance, security and regulatory compliance.
Another session focused on responsible AI in customer-facing services. Discussions covered personalised plans, smarter data packs and targeted offers, alongside AI tools to detect spam calls and filter unsolicited messages. Throughout, participants stressed the importance of data privacy, consumer trust and reducing false positives.
The event concluded on a lighter note, with saplings presented to speakers, but its message was clear. As India prepares for the AI Impact Summit 2026, the telecom sector is already stepping into an AI-powered future, one that aims to be smarter, safer and firmly centred on the consumer.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
