Baramati, Maharashtra – In a move poised to significantly impact India's technological landscape, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani inaugurated the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati, Maharashtra on December 28, 2025. The launch marks a collaborative effort between the Adani Group and Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institute governed by the Pawar family, to propel AI collaboration and capability building within the nation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Adani emphasized the transformative potential of AI for India's progress, stating that "seeds of tomorrow will be sown in algorithms". He envisions AI as a tool that will empower ordinary citizens, fostering intelligence and productivity across various sectors. Adani painted a picture of an AI-enabled future where farmers can optimize crops in real-time and women in smaller towns can build global microbrands.
Adani cautioned against over-reliance on foreign AI algorithms, stressing the importance of building indigenous AI models, compute capacity, and resilient intelligence ecosystems to safeguard India's economic security, cultural confidence, and strategic freedom. He argued that data, decision-making, and capability must remain anchored in national interest. He sees India entering a decisive phase where technology, talent, and national purpose must converge, urging the younger generation to become leaders and builders of AI, not just passive users. "India's enduring strength lies in its ability to align people, institutions, and long-term vision," Adani stated.
The newly inaugurated center, funded by the Adani Group, aims to promote advanced AI research and training with a focus on key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, governance, and industry. The center is established under Vidya Pratishthan.
The event saw the presence of prominent figures, including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, and Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, all of whom are trustees of Vidya Pratishthan. Ajit Pawar received Gautam Adani upon his arrival at Baramati Airport. Yugendra Pawar, treasurer of Vidya Pratishthan, was also present.
The presence of Gautam Adani and the Pawar family together is particularly noteworthy, given their long-standing relationship and the current political landscape. Adani's previous visit to Baramati was in 2022 for the inauguration of the Science and Innovation Activity Centre. Sharad Pawar had publicly acknowledged the Adani Group's financial support to Vidya Pratishthan in December 2023, thanking Gautam Adani for a contribution of ₹25 crore towards educational initiatives.
While MLA Rohit Pawar has emphasized the social work aspect of the meetings between Gautam Adani and Sharad Pawar, activist Vijay Kumbhar offered a contrasting view, suggesting that AI stands for "Adani Influence" in today's India. The inauguration of the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence marks a significant step towards advancing AI capabilities in India, with potential implications for various sectors and the nation's overall technological progress.
