The session commenced with Shri Mahankali Srinivas Rao welcoming the audience and introducing the theme—India’s evolving relationship with deep technologies. Setting the context, he emphasized the need to move beyond digital start-ups and e-commerce platforms to embrace science-led innovations.
Dr. Nirmalya Bagchi opened the discussion by defining deep tech as innovations rooted in fundamental scientific research, typically spanning domains like AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, aerospace, advanced materials, and robotics. Unlike surface-level innovations, deep tech requires years of investment, patience, and resilience, and is capable of addressing grand societal challenges rather than offering incremental conveniences.