ET AI Awards 2027 are here: Discover if your AI innovation is ready for the spotlight of a national stage!

AI has moved well beyond the technology function. Startups are building businesses around it, enterprises are integrating it into core operations, and established companies are rethinking products and services with AI at the centre. The work taking place across these organisations is changing how industries operate and compete.

Yet the scale of AI adoption makes it increasingly important to distinguish between experimentation and meaningful achievement. A new product, an effective enterprise application or a business function redesigned around AI each represents a different kind of contribution. The organisations and individuals behind these developments deserve a platform that recognises the breadth of this work.

The ET AI Awards 2027 offers that opportunity. The Economic Times initiative recognises AI innovation across products, industries, business functions and leadership, bringing together the organisations and people contributing to India's AI ecosystem.


With 40+ award categories across 4 tracks, the awards are open to startups, SMEs, large enterprises, and individual leaders.

What are the ET AI Awards recognising?

The awards recognise the development and application of AI across different stages of business growth and adoption.

That includes startups building AI-led products and business models, SMEs applying AI to improve their operations, and enterprises integrating the technology into areas such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and customer experience.

The recognition also extends to functional applications, including intelligent automation, data analytics, cybersecurity, engineering, HR, and marketing. Leadership categories acknowledge the entrepreneurs, technology leaders, women leaders, and business executives advancing AI within their organisations and across the industry.

The focus is on the work being done, the problem it addresses and the contribution it makes. Organisations can put forward products, solutions, implementations and business initiatives, while eligible individuals can nominate their leadership achievements.

Multiple ways to be recognised, choose yours

1. Innovation and Impact

This track recognises AI products, business applications and industry-specific innovations across startups, SMEs and enterprises.

Startup categories

• AI Product of the Year – Startup
• AI Startup of the Year – Defence, Space & Public Systems
• AI Startup of the Year – Enterprise SaaS & Applied AI
• AI Startup of the Year – FinTech & Payments
• AI Startup of the Year – Healthcare & Life Sciences
• AI Startup of the Year – Media, Content & Entertainment
• AI Startup of the Year – Supply Chain & Logistics
• AI-Native Startup of the Year

SME categories

• AI Product of the Year – SME
• AI for Consumer & D2C Growth
• AI for Education & EdTech Solutions
• AI for Manufacturing & Industrial Innovation – SME
• AI for Marketing, Sales & Customer Growth
• AI for Real Estate, Construction & Infrastructure
• AI-Powered SME of the Year – Financial Services

Enterprise categories

• AI Product of the Year – Enterprise
• AI Services Partner – India IT Major
• AI for Banking & Capital Markets
• AI for Energy, Utilities & Infrastructure
• AI for Healthcare, MedTech & Life Sciences
• AI for ITES & Technology Services
• AI for Insurance & Financial Protection
• AI for Marketing & Product Innovation – Enterprise
• AI for Retail, Consumer & Commerce
• AI for Sales & Revenue Growth – Enterprise
• AI for Supply Chain & Manufacturing Excellence
• GCC AI Transformation of the Year

Other Innovation and Impact category

• AI Innovation in Sports

2. Functional Excellence

AI adoption often begins with a specific business requirement. This track recognises organisations applying AI across functions to improve how work is performed and business decisions are made.

The categories include:

• AI for Customer Experience & Engagement
• AI Agents & Intelligent Automation
• AI in Data, Analytics & Decision Intelligence
• AI in Engineering, Data Science & MLOps
• AI in Finance & Risk
• AI in HR, Talent & Workforce
• AI in Sales & Revenue Operations
• AI-Driven Cybersecurity & Trust
• Best Use of AI in Business Operations
• Generative AI for Content, Creative & Brand
• Responsible AI, Governance & Ethics
• AI in Product & Engineering / AI Technology Leader of the Year – CTO/CDO

3. Leadership

AI adoption requires people who can identify opportunities, make strategic decisions, and guide organisations through implementation. The Leadership track recognises individuals and teams whose work is advancing AI innovation and adoption.

The categories include:

• AI Entrepreneur of the Year
• AI Team of the Year
• AI Technology Leader of the Year – CTO/CDO
• AI Woman Leader of the Year
• AI for India Leader
• Business Leader of the Year – AI

4. Special Awards

The Special Awards track recognises distinctive contributions to AI innovation, accessibility, business models, and emerging applications.

The categories include:

• AI Product for Bharat & Inclusive Impact
• AI Product Breakthrough of the Year
• AI-Native Business Model of the Year
• Agentic AI / AI Agents of the Year
• Best AI-Powered Platform
• Best Use of AI for Sustainability & Climate
• AI for Food, Agriculture & Supply Chain Efficiency
• AI Access & Democratisation Award

Who can participate?

The awards cover a broad range of organisations and professionals working with AI. Participation is not restricted to companies whose primary business is developing AI technology.

Potential participants include:

• Startups and emerging businesses: Companies developing AI products, AI-native business models or industry-specific applications.
• Small and medium enterprises: Businesses using AI to improve products, processes, customer experience or operational performance.
• Large enterprises and corporates: Organisations integrating AI into business functions, products and enterprise-wide operations.
• Global capability centres: GCCs implementing AI-led transformation across technology, business operations, and organisational functions.
• Technology and AI service providers: Companies developing, deploying or integrating AI products, platforms and solutions for clients.
• Industry-specific businesses: Organisations applying AI across sectors such as banking, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, education, energy, and logistics.
• Founders and entrepreneurs: Individuals building businesses around AI or developing significant AI-led innovations.
• Technology and business leaders: Professionals driving AI strategy, adoption, and measurable organisational impact.
• AI teams: Groups responsible for developing, implementing, and scaling AI initiatives within an organisation.

The most appropriate category will depend on the nature of the work being submitted and the eligibility requirements for that category.

What can recognition mean for your organisation?

Recognition through the ET AI Awards 2027 offers an opportunity to bring an organisation's AI achievements to the attention of a wider business and technology audience.

• National recognition: Position your organisation's work among notable AI innovations and applications from across India.
• ET media visibility: Gain visibility through The Economic Times platform and its wider business audience.
• Dedicated digital profile: Nominees receive a dedicated profile on EconomicTimes.com showcasing their AI work and achievements.
• Industry credibility: Have your submission evaluated through an expert-led awards process.
• Leadership and networking: Access opportunities to connect with business leaders, technology decision-makers and stakeholders across the AI ecosystem.
• Recognition for your people: Bring visibility to the founders, leaders, specialists, and teams responsible for your AI initiatives.

Is your AI achievement ready to be recognised?

Your organisation may have developed an AI product, introduced intelligent automation into business operations, improved manufacturing processes or built a new AI-led service. You may have established an AI-native business or led an initiative that has changed how your industry approaches a particular challenge.

Choose the category that best reflects your work and make your nomination count.

Nominate Now