In an era where artificial intelligence has the capacity to reshape institutions and societies, India is charting a path that honours human judgment even as it accelerates its economic aspirations. At the Swadesh Conclave 2025, a clarion call emerged from economists and thought leaders: to truly transform India, it needs to sustain growth upwards of 8.5 percent over several years, a milestone not just of ambition, but of necessity.
At the Swadesh Conclave 2025, two parallel narratives captured the essence of India’s aspirations and anxieties. On one side was an urgent call for India to sustain an economic growth rate of 8.5 per cent over several years to achieve its transformation into a developed nation. On the other was a cautionary reminder that, even as technology reshapes every sector, artificial intelligence must not replace human judgment in matters of justice.
Supreme Court Judge N. Kotiswar Singh, addressing the gathering, warned against assigning AI the role of a judge, calling such a move inherently risky and dangerous. “Justice is not merely about logic; it is about empathy, context, and conscience,” he said, underscoring the irreplaceable human element at the heart of adjudication. His words highlighted the ethical guardrails India must uphold even as it embraces rapid technological progress.
The economic conversation at the conclave carried a different kind of urgency. Speakers emphasized that India’s journey towards becoming a fully developed nation hinges on maintaining high growth momentum. N. K. Singh, chair of the 15th Finance Commission, pointed to India’s current growth rate of around 8 per cent but stressed the need to sustain and push it further through a balanced approach between services and manufacturing. Sustained 8.5 per cent growth, he argued, was not merely desirable but indispensable for the nation’s long-term transformation.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari added another dimension by highlighting the need to bridge the gap between rural and urban India. He pointed to innovations such as biofuels from agro-waste and the use of plastic waste in infrastructure as examples of how sustainable technologies can power inclusive growth. His remarks reflected a vision of development rooted in both environmental consciousness and economic pragmatism.
Youth leaders too brought their perspectives to the stage. MP Anurag Thakur urged young Indians to become champions of green investment and global competitiveness, describing energy, speed, and vision as critical to shaping the nation’s future. Echoing a similar sentiment, Manoj Tiwari underlined that building Brand India was not the responsibility of the state alone but of every citizen who contributes to the nation’s identity and strength.
The conclave also resonated with voices from media, culture, and branding, as speakers highlighted how storytelling, innovation, and creative expression contribute to shaping Brand Bharat. Figures such as Usha Uthup and Prahlad Kakkar emphasized the cultural depth and narrative power that would underpin India’s rise alongside its economic and policy frameworks.
Taken together, the conclave offered a portrait of India at a defining moment—ambitious in its pursuit of growth, clear-eyed about the need for innovation, yet cautious to safeguard the values that anchor its institutions. The juxtaposition of warnings against over-reliance on AI in justice with the demand for unprecedented economic acceleration reflects the delicate balance India must strike. Growth, the speakers affirmed, must be relentless, but it must also remain human in its essence.
S
The post Justice Kotiswar Singh hails digital technology but draws the line on use of AI in justice system appeared first on India Legal.