Foreword, World Economic Forum White Paper: Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India – An Impact Journey, January 2025
A new societal revolution is upon us as the world enters the Intelligent Age, with rapidly advancing converging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and blockchain fundamentally changing all aspects of our lives. Strong partnerships and coordinated efforts between all regions and across all sectors of society are crucial to ensure that these technological advances act as catalysts for equitable progress and positive change. The World Economic Forum has always been at the forefront of such actions, meeting the needs of a changing world and addressing pressing global challenges through multistakeholder dialogue and collaboration. As the foremost global platform for public–private cooperation, it is uniquely positioned to bring together diverse voices to develop new approaches, pilots and policy frameworks for technology regulation and adoption to ensure they benefit all of humanity without harming the environment.
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. The World Economic Forum’s partnership with India dates back more than 40 years. Over the past four decades, this relationship has developed into a strong, multifaceted and meaningful collaboration with the national government, several state governments, business leaders across key industries and other important stakeholders including civil society and leading experts, resulting in several impactful initiatives that have advanced shared priorities. 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 is proud to act as its partner in shaping a more human-centric, planet-friendly and resilient future.
The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India was launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a statement of the country’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies responsibly and inclusively for societal good. Today, C4IR India is not just a hub for innovation; it is a flagship centre of the World Economic Forum, exemplifying a vision for technology-driven development with impactful, on-the-ground results.
Over the past six years, C4IR India has had a direct impact on 1.25 million citizens throughout the nation, driving meaningful change through its initiatives. These include artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled agricultural programmes that increase farmers’ incomes; innovative healthcare solutions that improve access to life-saving services; and urban development frameworks that make cities more sustainable and liveable. 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.
As we look to the future, C4IR India will spearhead transformative initiatives with a sharp focus on impact. The AI for India 2030 initiative aims to promote inclusive AI innovation, overcoming challenges to unlock AI’s potential for societal benefit. Our Space Economy initiative will establish a foundational framework to position India as a global leader in space technologies. Climate Technology focuses on shaping Indian cities into climate-smart urban centres, enhancing resilience and sustainability. Finally, AVIATE India will enable a future in which aerial mobility alleviates congestion in urban areas and strengthens rural connectivity, improving infrastructure access for underserved communities.
This report encapsulates our journey and reflects on our commitment to building an inclusive digital future. C4IR India remains dedicated to strengthening its partnerships and scaling its impact, driving progress towards a future in which emerging technologies serve as a cornerstone for economic growth, environmental sustainability and social equity. Together, we are shaping a brighter, technology-empowered tomorrow for India and the world.
With: Purushottam Kaushik, Head, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India, World Economic Forum; Viraj Mehta, Head, Regional Agenda, India and South Asia; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum
Image: Getty Images for Unsplash
