CII National AI Forum : 2025-26
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) established the National AI Forum to serve as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, academia, and technology experts to collaborate on AI-related initiatives, policy advocacy, innovation, and best practices. The aim is to strengthen India’s position in AI innovation, to address ethical and regulatory challenges, and foster a collaborative ecosystem for AI-driven growth across various sectors.
The CII National AI Forum has been focusing on three key areas such as AI Adoption, AI Innovation and AI Regulation. The Forum has engaged in a series of initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration between industry stakeholders, government entities, and academia. Furthermore, the Forum has facilitated roundtables, summit, awards that encourage MSMEs and startups to showcase innovative AI solutions, reinforcing its commitment to driving economic growth and improving societal outcomes through responsible AI usage.
AI Adoption
Capacity Building and Skilling Initiatives in Partnership with premier institutions / Organizations :
| Activity | Project / Event Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| AI Immersion Weeks for MSMEs (21 Cities covered) | Capacity Building | Dec 2024 - Aug 2025 |
| Masterclass on AI Driven Business Transformation (Virtual) | Capacity Building | 1st – 3rd April 2025 |
Utilizing AI to Empower Business Leaders in the Realm of Digital Transformation
|
Capacity Building | 5th - 9th May 2025 |
| Mastering Modern AI : Unlocking AI’s Potential for your Enterprise (virtual) | Capacity Building | 12th July – 10th Aug 2025 |
| AI for Business Leadership (A residential program with IIT Bombay) | Capacity Building | 18th – 22th 18-22 Aug 2025 |
Forthcoming Activities
| Activity | Project / Event Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| CII & IIM - Building Resilient Finance Leadership with AI, Udaipur | Capacity Building | 5-7 Nov 2025 |
| Mastering Modern AI : Unlocking AI’s Potential for your Enterprise | Capacity Building | Nov 2025 |
| Masterclass on Harnessing Open Automation with AI for Industrial Advancement. | Capacity Building | Nov 2025 |
| CII & NUS Board Leadership Program on AI Governance, Singapore | Capacity Building | 24-28 Nov 2025 |
AI Innovation
AI Awards and knowledge sharing through the sessions at the AI Summit and Round Tables
Global AI Summit & AI Awards
The Flagship Programme of the AI Forum the Global AI Summit and AI Awards (2nd edition) was successfully organised on 4th September. MeitY and IndiaAI Mission supported this programme and positioned the Global AI Summit as a pre-summit event for the India - AI Impact Summit 2026 to be organised by the MeitY on 19- 20th February 2026.
The Plenary Sessions at the Summit witnessed insightful deliberations on the following subjects.
- Enhancing Productivity and Preparing the Workforce for the AI Era
- Future of Smart Manufacturing with AI : Enhancing Production and Quality
- AI Governance : Addressing Regulations and Ethical Challenges
- Diplomacy in the Age of AI : International Perspectives and Future Trends
- AI as a Catalyst for Climate Action, Healthcare Innovation, and Agricultural Productivity
The report Vision AI: Trends and Strategic Insights 2025 was released during the inaugural Session which also witnessed announcement and distribution of some of the AI Awards.
2nd Edition of AI Awards
The second edition of the CII National AI Awards garnered over 120 applications, the award process involved two levels of evaluation.
54 Awards were given to organizations under the following three categories :-
- Excellence in Best AI Solution Showcase
- Excellence in Best Industry AI Application
- Excellence in Best use of AI Industry Academia Collaboration
The CII AI Awards 2025, recognized organizations, and institutions at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence for their groundbreaking innovations and impactful applications.
Roundtables and Interactive Sessions on AI Governance, Regulatory Frameworks, and Policy Development
A. Roundtable on The AI Edge : Driving Global Competitiveness in Industry : 5 February 2025 : Kolkata
The CII Roundtable on The AI Edge : Driving Global Competitiveness in Industry held on February 5, 2025, focused on how Artificial Intelligence can reshape businesses and enhance national competitiveness. It explored how AI can unlock efficiencies, enable predictive analytics, and drive automation across various industries. The roundtable also aimed to discuss the transformative potential of AI and its impact on global partnerships, NextGen AI strategies, and responsible AI development. The roundtable addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with AI adoption, including ethical considerations, data privacy, workforce development, and the need for robust regulatory frameworks.
Key Takeaways
- AI is no longer optional for global competitiveness.
- Focus shifts from AI adoption to AI integration for tangible impact.
- Talent development and reskilling are critical bottlenecks.
- Ethical AI and regulatory clarity are urgent priorities.
- Cross-industry collaboration is key to unlocking AI's full potential.
B. Round Table on “Cybersecurity in the AI Era : 7 April 2025
A Round Table on “Cybersecurity in the AI Era” was organised on 7th April 2025 to engage with stakeholders from diverse groups to draw focus on Cybersecurity which has emerged as a critical national concern, since the frequency, sophistication, and impact of cyberattacks continue to rise. The objective of the Round Table on "Cybersecurity in the AI Era" was to bring together experts from government, industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, and AI innovators to engage in a strategic dialogue on the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Themed “Navigating the Dual Impact of AI – Enhancing Cybersecurity while Countering Emerging Threats,” the deliberations at the roundtable highlighted the breakthroughs, fostered collaboration, and sparked strategic dialogue around the dual role of AI — both as a tool for strengthening cyber defences and as a vector for new-age threats.
Key Takeaways
- Over $1 trillion has been invested in cybersecurity in the past seven years, achieving a 95% success rate
- The ever-evolving nature of cyber threats demands more adaptive and innovative defence mechanisms.
- Securing AI systems is essential to maintain their trustworthiness, especially against risks like data poisoning, prompt injection, and cloud hijacking.
- Cybersecurity strategies must be customized for India’s MSMEs, balancing AI-driven protection with adherence to privacy regulations.
- Quantum computing offers promising potential to transform vulnerabilities into powerful defences against advanced cyber threats.
C. Session on Adapting to the Change: Technology Steering New Age Industry: 8 March 2025 : New Delhi
The session on “adapting to the Change: Technology Steering New Age Industry organized on 8 March 2025, focused on how Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries worldwide by enhancing efficiency, fostering innovation, and ensuring competitiveness. As India positions itself as a global economic leader, AI adoption has become essential for industrial growth and sustainability. The discussion also covered strategic pathways for maximizing AI adoption and ensuring sustainable industrial advancement and the next steps in Indian businesses.
Key Takeaways
- Technology is the primary force reshaping modern industries.
- Embrace Disruption : Expect and adapt to constant technological disruption.
- Future-Proof Skills : Focus on developing skills relevant to emerging technologies.
- Agility is Key : Organizations need to be agile and responsive to tech shifts.
- Innovation is Essential : Continuous innovation is crucial for survival and growth.
- Data is Gold : Leveraging data is critical for informed decision-making.
- Collaboration is Power : Partnering and collaborating accelerates adaptation.