New Delhi, Jan 5 (NationPress) A two-day Working Group Meeting on Human Capital commenced at IIT Guwahati on Monday, uniting senior policymakers, scholars, industry leaders, and practitioners to deliberate on how India should equip its workforce for the Artificial Intelligence era.

The meeting is being organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the IndiaAI Mission, the Government of Assam, and IIT Guwahati.

The discussions, taking place on January 5 and 6, are centered on education reform, workforce transition, and the adoption of inclusive, human-centric AI.

Chaired by T. G. Sitharam, this meeting serves as a significant lead-up to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to occur in New Delhi from February 15 to 20.

The outcomes from the Guwahati meeting are expected to influence national policy decisions and enrich discussions at the global level during the summit.

The inaugural session included addresses from Syedain Abbasi, Special Chief Secretary of Assam; K. S. Gopinath Narayan, Principal Secretary (IT), Government of Assam; Prof. T. G. Sitharam; Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati; and Shikha Dahiya, Joint Director at IndiaAI, MeitY.

Speakers emphasized that human capital is crucial in India's AI journey, urging the country to evolve beyond traditional skilling models to adopt lifelong learning and institutional preparedness.

Welcoming the attendees, Prof. Devendra Jalihal expressed that IIT Guwahati aims to serve as a connector among policymakers, academia, industry, and students in crafting a future-ready workforce.

He underscored the institute's endeavors at the nexus of technology, education, and society, noting that robust student engagement signifies a growing interest in developing inclusive AI ecosystems.

Shikha Dahiya articulated the vision behind the India AI Impact Summit 2026, focusing on human capital, democratization of AI resources, and responsible AI adoption, especially pertinent to the Global South.

According to her, the IndiaAI Mission is dedicated to nurturing future-ready talent through enhanced computing capacity, indigenous datasets and models, and extensive AI skilling initiatives nationwide.

Prof. T. G. Sitharam asserted that the transition to an AI-driven economy must prioritize people and inclusivity.

He highlighted that India requires robust lifelong learning systems that emphasize not only technical skills but also adaptability, judgement, and human values, ensuring that technological advancements contribute to dignity and opportunities for all.

From the government's perspective, K. S. Gopinath Narayan stated that AI is revolutionizing economies and societies, carrying profound implications for human capital.

He stressed the importance of continuous learning, micro-skilling, and basic AI literacy as vital public competencies.