I worked several times in India, first with an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) project based in Jabalpur, and then later with a CIDA funded project working with Polytechnics in Southern India. It is an amazing country, with amazing people and amazing food. I even got to ride on an elephant! In this context, and my interest in international development, I was excited to see the article referenced here published by ICTworks. In my view, Wayan Vota has hit a home-run with this story (or in the context of India, it might be better to say has hit a six).
https://www.ictworks.org/india-small-business-revolution
The article focuses on how many persons in India are applying Generative AI to help them set up new businesses or improve existing ones.
Among the statistics Wayan quotes from recent LinkedIn research are these amazing facts.
- 82% of Indian small business founders say starting a business is easier with AI.
- 83% of business leaders in India say it’s key to growing their business
- 97% of small businesses in India are already using AI in some form
We didn’t have even basic AI when I worked in India at the start of the New Millennium, but at least I can say our telecom project at the time assisted India to enhance its telecommunications. A small but important contribution.
You can read about my assignment in India and others in South Asia in my book.
Overseas Adventures – North Star Skills for Development
Enjoy both.