Lucknow: FICCI FLO Lucknow, in collaboration with the US Embassy New Delhi, hosted a thought-provoking session titled “AI Demystified: What We Need to Know in 2025” at Hotel Renaissance, aiming to break down the complexities of artificial intelligence and explore its impact on industries and society.
The keynote speaker for the event was Stephen Ezell, Vice President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a prominent think tank based in Washington D.C. In his engaging address, Ezell explored the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence, offering deep insights on how it is reshaping industries, innovation ecosystems, and global economic trends.
Ezell warned that while AI is streamlining operations and improving efficiency, it also poses a significant risk of job displacement and widening economic inequality. He emphasized the urgent need for reskilling, retraining programs, and strong social safety nets to ensure inclusive growth.
Touching upon the psychological implications, he noted that over-dependence on AI could erode human cognitive abilities, making it essential to preserve human strengths like critical thinking and creativity.
On the subject of data and cybersecurity, Ezell underscored the importance of protecting personal data and building secure AI infrastructures, advocating for strong regulatory frameworks to avoid misuse, breaches, and unethical applications.
In a promising forecast, Ezell revealed that AI could contribute up to $1.5 trillion to India’s GDP annually by 2030, and that over 2.3 million new AI-driven jobs are expected to be created across the Indian employment sector within the next two years.
The event was graced by FICCI FLO National Senior Vice President Pooja Garg and saw enthusiastic participation from FLO members including Lucknow Chapter Chairperson Vandita Agarwal, Senior Vice Chairperson Simran Sahni, Devanshi Seth, Jyotsana Habibullah, Vibha Agarwal, Swati Verma, and Vanita Yadav.
The session provided a crucial platform for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to better understand the rapid evolution of AI, how to prepare for its disruptions, and how to strategically adopt AI technologies to stay future-ready.
