Gautam Adani Inaugurates Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on December 28, 2025, inaugurated the Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Baramati, Maharashtra, calling on India's youth to take the lead in shaping the "age of intelligence." Addressing the gathering at Vidya Pratishthan's new facility, Adani emphasized that India is entering a decisive phase where technology, talent, and national purpose must converge. He described India's enduring strength as its ability to align people, institutions, and long-term vision, urging young Indians to approach AI not as passive users but as active builders and leaders of capability.

Acknowledging widespread anxieties surrounding AI, including job displacement and ethical concerns, Adani offered historical reassurance. He noted that every major technological shift—from the industrial revolutions to India's digital transformation—has ultimately expanded human potential rather than diminished it. "AI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens, opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth," he stated. The inauguration was attended by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, after whom the center is named, highlighting a rare bipartisan collaboration on education and technology.

Adani issued a strong call for India to develop indigenous AI capabilities, warning that leadership in the field cannot be outsourced. "In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence, dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk," he cautioned. He stressed the importance of building homegrown AI models, robust compute capacity, and resilient intelligence ecosystems to safeguard India's economic security, cultural confidence, and strategic freedom. The Adani Group itself is heavily investing in data centers, digital infrastructure, and clean energy to support large-scale AI compute, attracting partnerships with global giants such as Google and Microsoft as India positions itself as a major hub for AI-driven growth.

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The Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in AI was established with a significant Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023 under the Baramati-based educational trust Vidya Pratishthan. The facility aims to drive advanced research, skill development, and industry-oriented training in emerging technologies. It will focus on practical AI applications across critical sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, governance, and industry, with a strong emphasis on fostering collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector to create inclusive, impactful solutions tailored to India's unique needs.

The initiative is expected to empower the next generation of Indian innovators to drive sustainable and self-reliant progress in the global AI landscape.

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