This is not my first Metamorphosis event—I attended last year in Bangalore and have also participated in one of their roadshows in Hyderabad. Events like Metamorphosis are instrumental in catalyzing India’s Web3 ecosystem, addressing its growth, adoption, and long-term development. The forum’s design aligns seamlessly with the vision of the Bharat Web3 Association (BWA), which I lead, to foster a dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready Web3 community across the country.

What makes Metamorphosis particularly valuable is its global perspective—bringing together international experts and thought leaders offers unparalleled learning opportunities. For developers, investors, and aspiring participants, it provides a comprehensive 360-degree view of the sector, enabling them to understand where they can contribute and innovate. 

Importantly, it also serves as a nexus for collaboration, enabling professionals—whether based in India or abroad—to engage meaningfully with the Indian Web3 community. Events like this are not just gatherings; they are catalysts for translating potential into tangible growth for the nation’s Web3 landscape.

Three pillars are driving Bharat Web3’s efforts to bridge the skill gap in blockchain and AI. Drawing on my experience as the founding MD and CEO of the National Skill Development Corporation (2010–2015), we initially developed competency frameworks for emerging jobs in blockchain and AI through the IT and ITS Sector Skill Council. Building on this foundation, NASSCOM and the Ministry of Information Technology launched the Future Skills initiative, offering structured courses to equip professionals for the next-generation technology landscape.

BWA has further partnered with member companies and educational institutions, both government and private, to scale training initiatives nationwide. For example, Avalanche is collaborating with Centurion University, while the Digital South Foundation is rolling out blockchain education programs across districts, ensuring decentralized and inclusive access to skill development.

India’s contribution to the global Web3 workforce is on a rapid ascent- from 12% two years ago to 14% last year, with 1.7 million new developers joining GitHub. If this trajectory continues, India is poised to surpass the US as the world’s most extensive developer base. As all IT companies inevitably integrate Web3 technologies, India has a unique opportunity to emerge as the global hub for Web3 and AI talent, driving innovation at scale.

The challenge with AI in India exists at multiple levels. We require more infrastructure and computing capacity, and there are very few Indian companies providing this. We also need AI models tailored for the Indian context—initiatives like Bhashini are working on developing SLMs and LLMs for India.

While countries like the US and China are investing billions, India’s National AI Mission, led by Abhishek Singh, is moving forward. Still, the private sector and individuals need to step up their efforts. By combining Web3 and AI, India can emerge as a global leader. Historically, when supercomputing technology was unavailable to us, we built our own parallel systems, such as PARAM. Similarly, with chips and computing infrastructure being developed domestically, India can carve out leadership in niche areas.

The Indian government has launched targeted initiatives, such as Startup India and Invest India, to create a robust ecosystem for innovation. While India boasts over 120,000 startups, not all of them are in Web3 or AI, and access to funding remains a significant challenge. To address this, SIDBI’s Fund of Funds provides crucial capital support, complemented by the National AI Mission and Quantum Computing initiatives, which nurture startups in emerging tech sectors.

Beyond funding, state governments are establishing regulatory sandboxes to facilitate experimentation, while premier institutions, such as IITs and other universities, host incubators to mentor and accelerate early-stage ventures. Individuals with promising ideas can leverage these programs, which include dedicated support for underrepresented communities, such as the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to ensure inclusive growth across the ecosystem.

The new H-1B regulations need to be viewed carefully. Current visa holders are unaffected, but new applicants face a one-time $100,000 fee for sponsoring companies, alongside an offshoring law. While this poses a challenge for Indians working abroad, it also creates a significant opportunity. It simultaneously presents a strategic opportunity for India to undertake high-value work domestically, thereby reducing its dependence on foreign markets.

India’s Web3 and decentralized tech landscape allows developers from cities like Guwahati, Trivandrum, and Vijayawada to contribute effectively. By fostering a world-class ecosystem, attracting talent back, and promoting entrepreneurial initiatives, India can not only mitigate global regulatory constraints but also position itself as the next global hub for IT and innovation.

Whenever I attend an event, I use it as a learning opportunity. From the speaker list, I see that many experts will be covering various aspects of Web3. Web3 is like an elephant: if you stand at the tail, it looks one way; at the trunk, another; at the leg, yet another. Its decentralized nature makes it complex, and I look forward to learning from different perspectives. Everyone attending should view this as an opportunity to learn and engage with the community.