Google DeepMind executive Seshu Ajjarapu believes India's rapid adoption of AI agents could mirror the nation's past mobile phone revolution. This shift emphasizes the development of autonomous digital assistants capable of executing tasks across various apps. The focus is now moving toward practical, human-feedback-driven AI applications.
India is emerging as a critical hub for the development of autonomous AI agents, according to Seshu Ajjarapu, senior director for applied AI at Google DeepMind. Speaking at the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event in Bengaluru, the executive noted that the country’s current engagement with artificial intelligence reflects the speed and scale seen during India's earlier mobile phone adoption phase. Unlike traditional AI models that primarily generate text or images, these new AI agents are designed to act as assistants that can navigate multiple software applications to complete specific user tasks autonomously.
Scaling Practical AI Applications
The industry is shifting focus from basic model training to what experts call the post-training phase. This stage is essential for translating advanced AI research into functional tools that users can rely on for everyday activities. For Indian businesses and developers, this means the opportunity lies in building specialized use cases that solve local challenges. Success in this area depends on the AI's ability to follow complex instructions accurately while learning from direct human input, a process often referred to as reinforcement learning.
Investor Context for Indian Tech Ecosystem
For investors monitoring the Indian technology sector, the move toward AI agents signals a transition from simple digital services to automated, task-oriented software solutions. This evolution could impact companies focused on software development, digital services, and consumer applications. As these autonomous tools become more capable, businesses that can successfully integrate AI agents into their existing platforms may see improved operational efficiency and user engagement. However, the long-term benefit for any individual company will depend on its ability to move beyond experimental projects to sustainable, revenue-generating products. Investors may track whether Indian IT firms and startups can secure a competitive edge by leading the development of these agentic workflows, especially as global tech giants increase their focus on the local ecosystem.