UK Transformation Dialogues 2026 Spotlights AI and Education for Uttarakhand's Growth
The UK Transformation Dialogues 2026, organized by The Times of India in Dehradun, focused on artificial intelligence's critical role in infrastructure expansion and education reform as foundational elements for Uttarakhand's next growth phase. This strategic forum examined the state's transition from terrain-related constraints to sector-driven development, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to explore sustainable and inclusive progress across multiple domains.
Panel Discussion on Building Uttarakhand's Growth Engine
The panel titled "Building the Growth Engine: Infrastructure, Education & AI-Led Investment" featured Mayank, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of ADROSONIC; Shikhar Saxena, Additional Director of the Department of Industries, Government of Uttarakhand; and Prof Dr Sachin Ghai from Graphic Era University. They deliberated on how Uttarakhand can harness technology and collaborative partnerships to drive sector-led development, emphasizing practical applications and strategic initiatives.
The Five Layers of Artificial Intelligence Explained
ADROSONIC founder Mayank detailed a structural framework for artificial intelligence, urging a deeper understanding beyond mere end-user applications. He outlined five essential layers:
- Infrastructure: This includes chips and computing power that form the hardware backbone.
- Data Quality: The foundation layer where accurate and clean data is crucial for reliable AI outcomes.
- Models: The "brain" of AI, where companies like OpenAI develop algorithms and systems.
- Orchestration: Enables multiple actions from a single query, streamlining AI operations.
- Applications: The user-facing layer where individuals interact directly with AI systems.
Mayank stressed that data quality is paramount, noting, "If your data quality is not good, you can't have AI on top of it. If we feed it wrong data, AI will always give a wrong response." He highlighted Uttarakhand's significant talent pool, suggesting that nurturing skilled professionals and establishing smaller innovation hubs could allow the state to offer AI-driven services globally, overcoming geographical limitations.
"We have an enormous amount of talent. If we nurture this talent and build small hubs, we can provide services anywhere in the world using the power of AI — and that itself will fuel the growth of the entire state," he asserted. Mayank advocated for partnerships between private institutions and the government to share challenges, enabling universities to conduct research and organizations to develop practical solutions. However, he cautioned that technology must be applied meaningfully, stating, "No matter how cool a technology is, until you find how it's going to be applied, it's of no use." He further explained, "Technology is for the business, business is not for the technology."
Government's Evolving Approach to AI Adoption
Shikhar Saxena, Additional Director of the Department of Industries, acknowledged that governments have historically been slow in adopting new technologies, referencing delayed use of computers and specialized software in past decades. "Whenever some new technology comes, government is usually the last to use it," he said. However, he noted a recent acceleration, pointing out that many processes were offline in 2015 but have since been digitized.
While the Uttarakhand government is not yet fully deploying AI across all departments, Saxena indicated a commitment to move faster this time. Referring to the launch of the Uttarakhand AI Mission on November 26, he stated the government aims to seize a "first-mover advantage." For bodies like the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Industrial Development Board (UIIDB), AI adoption is expected to be more proactive. Saxena highlighted a key governmental challenge that AI could address: "Understaffing is a chronic problem in almost all government departments. AI can help solve this problem, and that's why we are focusing a lot on it."
Education as a Long-Term Lever for Growth
Prof Dr Sachin Ghai of Graphic Era University emphasized technology-led growth through curriculum updates and shifts in institutional thinking. He recalled that one of Uttarakhand's earlier challenges was the outmigration of students seeking higher education outside the state, making the expansion of quality institutions within Uttarakhand a crucial step. "We recognised the importance of participation of all stakeholders," he said, adding that education should "always enlighten and empower."
Dr Ghai stressed that investment in infrastructure must be matched by investment in people and partnerships. He advocated for collaboration between academia, industry, and government to build a resilient growth engine for the state, ensuring that educational reforms align with economic and technological advancements.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Path Forward
The UK Transformation Dialogues 2026 underscored the interconnected roles of artificial intelligence, education reform, and infrastructure development in propelling Uttarakhand's growth. With experts calling for enhanced data quality, faster government adoption of AI, and strengthened institutional partnerships, the forum set a vision for a sustainable and inclusive future. By leveraging its talent pool and fostering innovation hubs, Uttarakhand is poised to overcome geographical constraints and emerge as a leader in AI-driven services and educational excellence.
