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RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka suggested that Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran could help shape India’s artificial intelligence strategy and its implementation. The proposal triggered online discussions over corporate leaders’ potential role in India’s expanding AI plans.
Goenka compared Chandrasekaran’s possible role with earlier cases where private-sector executives joined national initiatives. However, there is no indication that the government has made any formal proposal involving the Tata Sons chairman.
Goenka suggested this in a post on X on September 7. He referred to Nandan Nilekani and Pawan Goenka as examples of private-sector leaders who took up major public responsibilities.
Nilekani led the Unique Identification Authority of India, which oversaw the Aadhaar programme. Pawan Goenka, a former Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra, currently serves as chairman of IN-SPACe, India’s space sector regulator.
“India brought Nandan Nilekani from private sector to lead Aadhaar/UIDAI and now educational reforms and Pawan Goenka to help drive our space ambitions through IN-SPACe,” Harsh Goenka wrote.
He then asked, “Why not tap N. Chandrasekaran’s (Tatas) experience to help shape India’s AI strategy and implementation?”
Chandrasekaran has spent several decades working in technology and corporate management. He joined Tata Consultancy Services in the 1980s and later became its chief executive before taking over as chairman of Tata Sons.
The Tata Group has expanded into several technology-focused sectors during his tenure. These include electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, data centres and digital infrastructure.
As a result, Goenka’s suggestion focuses on Chandrasekaran’s experience in managing large technology businesses and complex projects. His comments come as India works to expand AI infrastructure, investment and wider adoption.
However, Goenka did not suggest any specific government position for Chandrasekaran. His post focused on whether the Tata executive’s experience could support national AI planning and execution.
Reactions to Goenka’s proposal were mixed. Some social media users supported the suggestion and said Chandrasekaran’s experience could also contribute to broader economic planning.
One user wrote, “Sounds good, not only just about AI strategy and implementation, but also for utilising his expertise for growing Bharat’s economy, GDP and per capita income for everyone.”
Other users suggested different names. One response argued that Nandan Nilekani could be better suited to guide India’s AI transformation because of his experience with large public technology projects.
Another user suggested Anand Mahindra could help strengthen Brand India. Meanwhile, another questioned whether specialists from individual sectors should take a larger role in shaping technology policy.
Chandrasekaran has previously spoken about the role AI could play in India. At the India AI Impact Summit in February, he described artificial intelligence as a new form of infrastructure.
“AI to my mind is the next big infrastructure. It is the infrastructure of intelligence,” Chandrasekaran said.
He compared its development with earlier changes driven by electricity, steam engines and the internet. He also called for wider access to AI tools across society.
“Our mission should be to make AI work for every individual and every citizen in this country,” Chandrasekaran said.
For now, Goenka’s proposal remains a public suggestion. No official announcement has linked Chandrasekaran to a government role in India’s AI strategy.
