ET Soonicorns Summit 2025 curtain-raiser: Shaping India’s AI future from infrastructure to ethics

Ahead of its highly anticipated fourth edition in Bengaluru on August 22, the Economic Times Soonicorns Summit 2025 is setting the stage with a pivotal curtain-raiser. On 12 August, a special livestream event will convene some of India’s leading thinkers and builders to dissect the critical dimensions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that will define the nation’s technological future. The curtain-raiser will feature three distinct sessions, each tackling a crucial aspect of the AI revolution: infrastructure, security, and ethics.

This essential preview aims to frame the high-stakes conversations that will dominate the main summit, which this year revolves around the theme, ‘From Research Labs to Revenue Models: The Billion-Dollar Blueprint for Scaling Indian AI Startups.’ Addressing the foundational pillars of AI’s evolution, the online event will prime the ecosystem for the deep dives into strategy, investment, and innovation slated for the in-person gathering in Bengaluru.

The Indian AI landscape is at a critical juncture. As startups across the country race to build the next generation of intelligent solutions, the discussions at the curtain-raiser will explore the essential underpinnings required for sustainable and responsible growth. From ensuring that the benefits of AI reach every corner of the nation to safeguarding the digital economy and navigating the complex ethical terrain of generative AI, these sessions will set a thoughtful and urgent tone for the broader summit.

Session 1: AI for Bharat: How Localised Data Centres Can Bridge the Digital Divide
India’s ambition to become a global AI powerhouse is intrinsically linked to its ability to build a robust and decentralised digital infrastructure. This opening session will delve into the critical role of localised data centres in democratising access to AI-powered tools and fostering innovation beyond the metropolitan hubs. The conversation will explore how this infrastructure can empower regional economies, accelerate AI deployment, and create a more equitable digital landscape for all Indians.

The panel will address the pressing need to reduce reliance on international data facilities and examine how localised infrastructure can be a catalyst for bridging the urban-rural digital divide, ensuring that the AI revolution is inclusive and far-reaching.

Speakers for this session include:

• Adarsh Natarajan, Founder & CEO, Aindra: After an MBA from IIM Bangalore, Natarajan founded Aindra Systems to use deep tech for solving critical human problems. His company is a pioneer in applying AI-powered computer vision for the early detection of cervical cancer, exemplifying how home-grown AI can address pressing healthcare needs in low-resource settings.

• Jai Asundi, Executive Director, Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP): Asundi leads CSTEP, a prominent think tank that has been influential in shaping policy with a focus on science and technology. He has been a key figure in establishing “AI for social impact” as a significant area of focus for the organization. His work on leveraging technology for public policy and addressing societal challenges brings a critical perspective on how infrastructure can drive inclusive development.
• Abhinav Aggarwal, Co-Founder & CEO, Fluid AI: A self-taught coder who dropped out of an MBA programme to launch his company, Aggarwal is a leading voice in India’s conversational AI scene. Fluid AI’s generative AI platform is designed to automate customer and employee support, demonstrating the practical applications of AI in enhancing service delivery. His entrepreneurial journey and focus on human-AI interaction provide invaluable insights into the real-world deployment of AI solutions.

Session 2: Combatting Financial Fraud: AI Algorithms for Real-Time Detection & Risk Management
As India’s financial services landscape becomes increasingly digitised, the threat of sophisticated fraud and cybercrime has grown in tandem. This session will bring together experts from the frontlines of fintech security to discuss how AI is becoming the most critical weapon in the fight against financial crime. The panel will explore the application of AI-powered systems for instant fraud detection, predictive risk modeling, and intelligent transaction monitoring.

The discussion will also weigh the crucial balance between implementing robust security measures and maintaining a seamless user experience. The speakers will shed light on how AI technologies can adapt to the constantly evolving tactics of fraudsters in a hyper-connected digital economy, ensuring trust and stability in India's burgeoning fintech sector.

Speakers for this session include:

• Ankur Pandey, Co-Founder and CTO, Signzy: As the technical lead of Signzy, Pandey has been instrumental in building an AI-powered platform for digital banking infrastructure. Signzy provides solutions for secure customer onboarding and fraud detection, placing him at the nexus of technological innovation and the practical challenges of deploying AI ethically and securely in the financial industry.
• Amit Das, Co-founder & CEO, Think360.ai: Das is a veteran in the analytics and data science industry with over two decades of experience. His firm, Think360.ai, is at the forefront of developing AI-powered solutions for the financial services industry, including an alternate credit scoring platform and video KYC products. His background in scaling analytics capabilities for major technology firms gives him a deep understanding of how AI can be leveraged to manage risk and combat financial fraud effectively.
• Suhas Gopinath, Founder & CEO, Globals Inc: Per media reports, Gopinath gained international recognition as the world’s youngest CEO at the age of 17. His multinational IT company, Globals Inc., has pivoted to focus on the critical area of cybersecurity. Gopinath’s experience extends to serving on national committees for ICT, giving him a broad perspective on technology’s role in the economy.
• Rohit Taneja, Founder & CEO, Decentro: Taneja is a serial entrepreneur with a deep focus on the fintech infrastructure space. His company, Decentro, provides a full-stack API platform that simplifies banking and payment integrations for businesses. Having built and sold his previous social payments startup, Mypoolin, Taneja has hands-on experience in the intricacies of payment systems and the security challenges they face.

Session 3: AI’s Ethical Crossroads: Innovation vs. Manipulation in a Deepfake Era
The meteoric rise of generative AI has ushered in an era of unprecedented creative and commercial opportunities. However, it has also brought to the forefront urgent ethical dilemmas, from the proliferation of deepfakes and algorithmic bias to the potential weaponisation of synthetic media. This session will feature a critical dialogue on how India can navigate these complex challenges.

The speakers will explore the frameworks, safeguards, and cultural shifts necessary to foster responsible innovation while protecting public trust. The conversation will address how to build a societal consensus around the ethical use of AI, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the cost of truth and safety.

Speakers for this session include:

• Santosh Phad, Founder, ThinkSharp Foundation: Phad founded his non-profit organisation with the mission to bridge the rural-urban education divide in India. ThinkSharp Foundation focuses on providing digital literacy and better educational infrastructure to rural schools. Phad’s firsthand experience in addressing the digital divide at the grassroots level provides a unique and crucial perspective on the societal implications of technology and the importance of foundational digital skills in an age of AI.
• Rohit Kumar, Co-Founder, The Quantum Hub (TQH): Kumar is a public policy expert who co-founded TQH, a consulting firm that operates at the intersection of policy and communications. An alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School and IIT Bombay, he has extensive experience in policy research and government engagement. His work often involves navigating the regulatory landscape of emerging technologies, making his insights into the ethical governance of AI particularly relevant.
• Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Director, Digital Futures Lab: Aneja is a leading researcher and policy analyst focused on the societal impacts of technology. Her organisation, Digital Futures Lab, is a research collective that examines the ethics and governance of AI, particularly in the context of the Global South. With a PhD from the University of Oxford, she frequently advises governments and industries on technology policy, bringing a globally informed and critical lens to the debate on responsible AI.

Charting India’s AI trajectory
Together, these three sessions promise to deliver a thought-provoking and insightful prelude to the main event in Bengaluru. By bringing together a diverse group of experts—from policy advisors and social entrepreneurs to tech founders and risk management specialists—the curtain-raiser for the ET Soonicorns Summit 2025 will illuminate the foundational challenges and opportunities that will shape India’s journey in the AI era. These discussions are not just about technology; they are about building a secure, inclusive, and ethical digital future for a billion people.

Registration for the ET Soonicorns Summit 2025 is now open.

360 ONE is the Presenting Partner of the ET Soonicorns Summit 2025, with Raymond as the Wardrobe Partner and Shiv Nadar University as the Ecosystem Partner.

(This article is generated and published by the ET Spotlight team. You can get in touch with them at etspotlight@timesinternet.in.)