At the prestigious World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered a compelling message: technology and tradition must evolve together to shape the future. Addressing a global audience of creators, policymakers, and industry leaders, Jaishankar emphasized the cultural depth behind technological progress and its role in India’s journey toward becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
Highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), Jaishankar pointed out that while AI opens vast new horizons, it also brings challenges such as intellectual property rights and authenticity concerns. “Every advancement has its issues, and AI will be no different,” he remarked, urging responsible use of emerging technologies to foster innovation without compromising cultural values.
Jaishankar underscored the importance of embracing India’s rich heritage and pluralism in the global narrative. “To democratize the international system, we must give voice to our traditions, heritage, ideas, and creativity,” he said, advocating for technology as a powerful tool to amplify India’s diverse cultural expressions on the world stage. The minister also stressed the need for mindset shifts and policy reforms to build a dynamic global workforce, capable of seamless mobility and creativity. “Neither talent nor tasking will be stationary,” he noted, emphasizing that preparing young talent through skill diffusion is crucial in today’s information-saturated world.
WAVES 2025, running from May 1 to 4 in Mumbai, is a landmark event gathering over 10,000 delegates, including 1,000 creators and 350 startups from more than 90 countries. It aims to boost India’s booming media and entertainment sector, which generated revenues of Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2024, by fostering collaboration and innovation across film, gaming, digital content, and more.Jaishankar’s remarks reflect India’s confident stride toward integrating cutting-edge technology with its timeless cultural fabric, positioning the nation as a global leader in creativity and innovation.