A new era dawns for India’s mining landscape with AI pilots set to supercharge production, eradicate theft, and fortify efficiency and safety, as revealed by Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy. In Wednesday’s briefing from New Delhi, Reddy outlined the ministry’s proactive trials.
Engaging with media, the minister elaborated: ‘Pilot implementations of AI are underway to enhance mine productivity significantly. Simultaneously, it addresses theft prevention, operational streamlining, and heightened safety standards.’ Summit discussions with ministry experts are yielding fresh pathways for AI adoption.
The context is the landmark India AI Impact Summit 2026, positioning India as a global AI frontrunner. Built on seven chakras and the triad of people, planet, and progress, it advances AI for economic vitality, resource equity, social inclusion, reliability, human development, scientific progress, and innovative resilience.
Complementing this, Prahlad Joshi highlighted AI in public welfare. The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana feeds over 80 crore people using smart infrastructure and Ann Chakra AI, which optimized logistics to save 250 crore rupees by mapping nearest depots.
Manohar Lal, focusing on power, asserted AI’s pivotal role: ‘By providing swift, accurate data, AI resolves supply hurdles, paving the way for round-the-clock electricity access.’ This convergence of ministerial visions heralds AI’s centrality in India’s developmental narrative.