ET GBS Summit 2026: 'Robots, AI are tools for progress, not threats'

New Delhi: Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) should be viewed as tools for national progress rather than threats to human employment, Rahul Shah, managing director and founder of Bidyut Innovation, told students during a session on shaping a future-ready nation through technology.

"Everybody is talking about robotics, AI, robotics, AI," said Shah. "But is this really new? The answer is no."

He argued that automated systems have long been embedded in everyday life. Shah cited the instance of air conditioners and refrigerators, which already function as basic robots, using sensors and programmed responses to regulate temperature.


"We were surrounded by robots earlier also," he said. "The difference now is that you see moving robots. They are fascinating. They are attractive. That's why the attention is high."

According to Shah, much of the heightened attention stems from fear, particularly concerns that automation will displace workers.

"We fear that robotics and AI will take a lot of jobs," he said. "The biggest way to overcome fear is to face it."

Shah said Bidyut Innovation focuses on preparing students for what he described as a technologically dominant future. "We are training the future. We are making students of our country future-ready," he said, emphasising skill development in robotics and AI.

To illustrate his argument, Shah invited a humanoid robot on stage and conducted a brief exchange designed to test common assumptions.

When asked whether it was smarter than humans, the robot responded, "I process faster, but I still need humans to switch me on. So let's call it teamwork."

Shah used the moment to underscore interdependence between humans and machines. "He is dependent on humans," he said, referring to the robot. "So, one thing is for sure, he is not going to take our job."

"Robots are not going to replace humans where humans are required," said Shah. "There are so many risky jobs where human lives are at risk. Why not replace those tasks?"

He stressed that governance frameworks would determine how responsibly such technologies are deployed. "We need a governance system in place," he said, adding that regulation and ethical oversight would ensure robotics remains an asset rather than a liability.

Drawing comparisons with everyday tools, Shah argued that technology itself is neutral.

"Everybody has a knife at home," he said. "You can kill someone or you can make delicious food. It depends on how you use it."