The summit attracted over 17,000 attendees, offering invaluable insights into AI’s potential to revolutionize businesses, accelerate growth, and shape the future.
March 4, 2025 – Salesforce, the #1 AI CRM, successfully hosted the first edition of The Great India AI Summit, bringing together India’s top business leaders, AI pioneers, and industry experts to discuss the future of AI-driven transformation. With 17,000 attendees from across industries, this virtual event empowered businesses with advanced AI strategies, real-world success stories, and hands-on learning experiences to help them navigate and scale AI adoption effectively.
The Great India AI Summit featured an impressive lineup of leaders who shared their unique perspectives on AI’s transformative power across industries. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson & CEO, Salesforce India & South Asia; Rahul Dravid, Former Cricket Captain & Head Coach, Team India; Devdutt Pattanaik, Author, Mythologist & Leadership Consultant; and Leander Paes, Tennis Legend & Olympic Medallist, Founder – Flying Man Ventures, explored how AI is driving innovation, enhancing decision-making, optimizing performance, and shaping India’s digital future.
The summit featured leading AI practitioners who shared insights on AI’s real-world impact. Prashanth Kaddi, Partner, Engineering + AI and Data Lead, Deloitte India; Bhuwan Lodha, CEO – AI Division, Mahindra Group; Sudipta Ghosh, Data & Analytics Leader, PwC India; and Dr. Dakshinamurthy Kolluru, Professor of Practice, GGU, explored AI’s role in transforming industries, from business intelligence to large-scale automation. Through keynotes, fireside chats, and masterclasses, attendees gained a deeper understanding of AI’s impact on India’s business landscape.
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The summit kicked off with a keynote by Arundhati Bhattacharya, President & Chairperson, Salesforce – India & South Asia, who highlighted India’s pivotal moment in AI-driven transformation. She said, “With access to some of the richest data sets for AI, India is poised to lead in this era of intelligent automation.” Tracing the evolution of AI over the years, she further emphasized the rise of agentic AI, which is redefining the way businesses operate. “In a country as vast and diverse as India, Agentforce can accelerate our transition into a digitally empowered economy—unlocking new opportunities, bridging digital divides, and driving inclusive growth. At Salesforce, we are committed to making AI a force for good—fueling innovation, driving business success, and empowering communities. Together, we can shape a future where AI drives meaningful impact—not just for businesses, but for India as a whole,” she added.
Rahul Dravid, Former Cricket Captain and Head Coach, Team India, emphasized AI’s role in decision-making. He said, “Cricket has always been a game of skill, strategy, and adaptability, but technology and data analytics have truly transformed the way we prepare, analyze, and perform. From ball-tracking systems to AI-driven insights, we now have access to more information than ever before. The key, however, is to filter out the noise and focus on what truly impacts performance. As a coach, my role is to ensure that data serves as an enabler—helping players make informed decisions while preserving the instinct and human element that make the sport so special.”
Devdutt Pattanaik, Author, Mythologist, Belief, Leadership & Culture Consultant, said, “AI, like mythology, is a reflection of human intent—shaped by our desires, ambitions, and fears. While AI enables efficiency, automation, and scale, its true power lies in how we integrate it with human wisdom. The key is not just building intelligent systems, but fostering responsible AI that serves businesses, communities, and individuals ethically. Events like The Great India AI Summit, create a vital space for these conversations—ensuring that as AI evolves, it does so with purpose, inclusivity, and a deep understanding of human values.”
Leander Paes, Tennis Legend & Olympic Medallist, Founder – Flying Man Ventures, shared his perspective on the transformative impact that AI can have in sports. He said, “AI is fast moving towards revolutionizing sports, not just in strategy and performance analysis but also in injury prevention and recovery. I only wish we had access to this level of technology in the early days of my career — it would have made my backhand a whole lot better! Today, with so much data that is being gathered in real time, AI can help players refine their techniques, predict opponents’ moves, and even prevent injuries by analyzing workload and recovery patterns. But what excites me most is the fusion of AI with human intuition. AI provides insights, but it’s the human mind that turns them into magic. Just like Andre Agassi spotting Boris Becker’s subtle serve tell—AI can give you the data, but understanding and outsmarting your opponent? That’s where the human element shines. The future of sports is about AI enhancing human potential to create champions. It’s incredible to see technology driving India’s global influence, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
A key highlight of the summit was Agentforce, Salesforce’s vision for an AI-powered workforce, where intelligent agents seamlessly augment human capabilities, automate workflows, and enhance decision-making. The discussions provided a deep dive into how businesses can leverage Agentforce to drive measurable outcomes, boost productivity, and scale AI adoption across industries, unlocking a truly limitless digital workforce.
As businesses navigate the AI-powered economy, The Great India AI Summit has set the stage for meaningful conversations, actionable strategies, and industry-wide AI acceleration.