The Union Budget 2026 has rightly placed artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology (IT) at the heart of India’s growth story. With visionary initiatives like the Bharat-VISTAAR multilingual AI platform, extended tax benefits for cloud and AI service providers, and the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the government aims to propel the nation into a new era of digital empowerment. These bold steps acknowledge that AI is not just a futuristic technology but a force multiplier that can transform governance, agriculture, education, and industry.
However, for many living in remote towns like Mokokchung, the promise of this digital revolution seems worlds away. The stark reality here in Mokokchung is that there isn’t a single IT firm, startup, or incubator to nurture local talent or meet the community’s digital needs. Everyday tasks such as repairing a printer or developing an app require outsourcing to far-off cities like Guwahati. There is no one locally to build or troubleshoot websites, leaving many dependent on distant services. In a fast-changing world, Mokokchung and similar towns remain painfully disconnected, like “cavemen of the 21st century,” struggling to even comprehend the sweeping changes taking place.
This digital divide is a glaring contradiction. While India strides confidently toward becoming a global AI hub, vast swathes of its population remain on the sidelines, lacking access, infrastructure, and skills to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. The challenge for policymakers is not just to fuel AI innovation but to ensure that the benefits reach every corner of the country. Investments in digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity, local skill development, and grassroots entrepreneurship must complement national AI ambitions.
The future of India depends on closing this gap. Only then can the vision of AI-powered inclusive growth become a lived reality for all, from metropolitan hubs to remote towns like Mokokchung.
The state government must also ensure that the Union government’s progressive policies are implemented smoothly and equitably across the entire state, so that remote towns are not left behind in the race for digital transformation.