Article Complete
AIM
Startups In The Future Will Be More About AI: Ratan Tata

Startups In The Future Will Be More About AI: Ratan Tata

Startups In The Future Will Be More About AI: Ratan Tata

Startups In The Future Will Be More About AI: Ratan Tata
Sejuti Das·Published Updated

Key takeaways

  • Ratan Tata believes that future startups will increasingly focus on artificial intelligence.
  • Leading tech companies like Amazon and Google have set a precedent for AI-driven business models.
  • Tata emphasised the importance of ethical operations in startups, particularly regarding founder stability and maturity.
  • Tata has invested in AI technologies, including the chatbot Niki, highlighting his commitment to the sector.
  • The Indian government sees AI as pivotal in reaching its economic goals, including becoming a $5 trillion economy.
5 min

In the past few months, various stakeholders of the startup ecosystem have publicly spoken about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will impact the future of the Indian economy. Now, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, has also said that the startup of the future will be more about AI.

Speaking at TiECon Mumbai 2020, Tata said that the leading tech companies had shown the path. “Considering that companies like Amazon and even Google are very AI technology-oriented. So I think the startups of the future will be more about AI.”

Tata also advised startups to operate businesses ethically. He said, “When we [Tata] raised money from the international market, we built our case on the stability and maturity of the founders, or the top management.”

Interestingly, Tata is also an investor in AI-based chatbot Niki since the company’s seed round. In 2017, the company raised $2 million series A funding from Tata, SAP and Unilazer Ventures.
At TiECon Mumbai 2020, Ratan Tata also was awarded the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the Indian startup ecosystem. The award was presented by Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy.

This month, even union minister of commerce and industry, Piyush Goyal, noted that the using AI applications and other emerging technologies in different sectors could help India achieve its goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2024.

Membership

Stay ahead with AI insights.

Unlimited access to premium articles, exclusive analysis, and the stories shaping India's AI economy.

Subscribe now

AIM Americas

1190 Miraloma Way Suite P, Sunnyvale, CA 94085

AIM India

1st Floor, Sakti Statesman, Bellandur, Bengaluru – 560103

© 2026 AIM. All rights reserved.