AI, digital technologies can empower MSMEs, startups and exporters: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies can play a transformative role in empowering MSMEs, startups, exporters and local businesses, while highlighting the need for stronger collaboration to drive innovation-led and technology-driven growth. The minister shared that he met a delegation from Google led by Vidhya Srinivasan, Vice President, Ads & Commerce, and Preeti Lobana, Vice President and Country Manager, Google India, to discuss opportunities for expanding the use of AI and digital technologies across key sectors of the economy. During the meeting, the discussions focused on leveraging AI-driven solutions to empower small businesses, startups and exporters while supporting their growth in an increasingly digital marketplace. Goyal said both sides explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration in areas such as accelerating AI adoption, advancing digital skilling initiatives, improving market access and fostering innovation-led, technology-driven growth. "Met with a delegation led by Vidhya Srinivasan, Vice President, Ads & Commerce, Google, and Preeti Lobana, VP and Country Manager, Google India," Goyal said in a post on social media platform X. "The discussion focused on leveraging AI and digital technologies for empowering MSMEs, startups, exporters, and local businesses," he added. He emphasised that closer cooperation between the government and technology companies can help build a stronger digital ecosystem, enabling businesses to enhance competitiveness and unlock new growth opportunities through emerging technologies. "Explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration to accelerate AI adoption, advance digital skilling, enhance market access, and foster innovation-led, technology-driven growth," Goyal mentioned. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Goyal said that India's new free trade agreements (FTAs) are creating fresh opportunities for manufacturing and innovation, opening doors for the country's youth to compete globally. He urged students to equip themselves with practical skills and embrace technology-driven learning to make the most of the emerging opportunities. Virtually addressing the inauguration of the online bilingual Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Udaipur from New Delhi, Goyal said the country's youth should prepare themselves to take advantage of the opportunities emerging from these trade agreements. --IANS pk