AI Revolutionizes India's Traditional Jewelry Industry, Blending Craftsmanship with Technology

New Delhi. Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing a new turn to India's traditional jewelry industry. A gold brooch shaped like Lord Krishna, which shone in the exhibition hall of the global AI summit held in New Delhi, has become a symbol of the confluence of technology and tradition, not just handicraft. Although the brooch was handcrafted by Indian artisans, its detailed design was created by AI.

Siddharth Soni, 23, has been producing AI-designed jewelry through Idea Jewellery, which he co-founded in 2023. He told AFP, "Traditionally, making such jewelry used to take six to seven months, but using AI-generated blueprints and 3D-printed molds, it can be ready in a week, with some extra time required for hallmarking."

Soni's startup evolved from a decades-old family business based in Hyderabad. His father and grandfather have been active in the jewelry industry for about 30 years. Expressing enthusiasm for the new technology, his father expressed a desire to take it to the international market so that retailers in countries including the United States can sell custom AI-designed Indian jewelry. However, experienced artisans are concerned that AI will lead to the loss of artistic originality.

"We are losing the art form," Soni said, "but it is essential to move forward with the times."

Tech entrepreneurs and world leaders participating in the AI summit also discussed risks alongside opportunities. Mass job displacement and the erosion of human expertise have become major concerns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the rapid progress in technology, stating that the summit has brought out the potential of the country's youth.

The Indian government aims to invest $200 billion in the AI sector within the next two years, which includes plans to expand data centers and energy infrastructure. Although Idea Jewellery has not received government grants, it announced preparations to collaborate with 20 retailers in major cities.

Through a tool based on a modified version of Google's Gemini, customers can request designs from simple text instructions by selecting the metal, precious stones, and price range. The tool produces a detailed 3D model after showing a sample, which artisans then materialize.

Some workers are uneasy due to fears of job loss, but they are currently manufacturing AI-designed jewelry. The impact of AI is not limited to the jewelry industry. A startup named Extreme Gen AI has developed voice-based chat tools for businesses in dozens of local languages.

According to founder Peace Berry, as the technology becomes cheaper and more sophisticated, the massive call center industry could be affected, but new job and skill areas will also open up.

Similarly, Soil Doctor has been operating an AI-based soil testing program on 500 farms across 10 states. Chief of Staff Vartika Gupta stated that by gaining access to historical agricultural data, farmers will be helped to reduce costs and increase production through targeted fertilizer use. According to her, farmers will be able to produce more at less cost each season.

Seeking a balance between traditional skills and modern technology, startups in India are embracing AI as an opportunity, although the question of employment and originality remains a subject of debate.