India at forefront of age defined by tech evolution, WEF report says

In an era defined by technological evolution, India stands at the forefront of an age defined by technological evolution as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a global hub for start-ups and digital innovation, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report said.

The report, titled ‘Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India – an Impact Journey,’ was released on the opening day of the WEF annual meeting 2025 on Monday.

C4IR is the liaison office of the WEF in India and was co-launched in 2018 in Mumbai, along with NITI Aayog and Reliance Industries Ltd as founding partners.

“India’s advocacy for and pursuit of developmental templates where technology serves as a bridge rather than a barrier are highly relevant and the Forum (WEF) is proud to act as its partner in shaping a more human-centric, planet-friendly and resilient future,” the foreword to the report said.

Over the past six years, C4IR India has had a direct impact on 1.25 million citizens throughout the nation. These include through artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled agricultural programs that increase farmers’ incomes; innovative healthcare solutions that improve access to life-saving services; and urban development frameworks that make cities more sustainable and livable, the foreword said.

“Such efforts have been made possible by our commitment to multistakeholder collaboration–engaging the public sector, private companies, academia and civil society to create solutions that meet real-world needs while adhering to responsible governance principles,” it added.

“The Indian model, comprising ground-breaking innovations and India’s young, educated population, serves as a global template for leveraging technology as a catalyst for shared human progress while ensuring environmental sustainability,” Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the World Economic Forum, said in the report.

“The inspiring and ground-breaking innovations by the country’s young, educated and ambitious population are propelling India’s progress in the Intelligent Age,” Schwab added.

As the world’s largest democracy embarking on a massive digital transformation, India is a key political, social and economic player that will shape the course of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the report.

Schwab said C4IR India “has shown dedication in supporting initiatives to drive innovation and sustainable development,” and that the impact achieved with initiatives like Artificial Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence (AI4AI), Advanced Virtual Innovation for Technology Enhancement (AVIATE), and FIRST Cancer Care is a testament to this ongoing commitment.