Under the bright lights of a New Delhi tech summit, a gold brooch shaped like Lord Krishna captured attention — not just for its intricate craftsmanship, but for the technology behind its design. While skilled Indian artisans handcrafted the final piece, its detailed blueprint was generated using artificial intelligence, symbolising how India’s startup ecosystem is merging heritage industries with next-generation tools.
Reinventing Jewellery Through AI
Hyderabad-based startup Idea Jewellery, co-founded in 2023 by 23-year-old Siddharth Soni, is among a growing number of young ventures experimenting with AI-led design. Traditionally, creating elaborate jewellery could take six to seven months from concept to completion. By using AI-generated design files combined with 3D-printed moulds, production timelines have been reduced to roughly a week — with additional time required for hallmarking and finishing.
Built on a customised version of Google’s Gemini AI model, the company’s platform allows customers to input preferences such as metal type, gemstones, pricing range, and stylistic cues via text prompts. The system then generates visual samples and detailed 3D models, which artisans refine and complete by hand.
Soni’s venture builds on his family’s decades-old jewellery manufacturing business. While older generations in the trade worry that AI could dilute artistic imagination, they also recognise the need to adapt to changing global demand. The startup is currently in discussions with around 20 retailers, including international buyers seeking customised Indian jewellery.
A National Push Toward AI
The broader momentum reflects India’s ambition to become a global AI powerhouse. At the summit, Narendra Modi highlighted AI as proof of the country’s youthful innovation capacity. The government anticipates up to $200 billion in AI-related investment over the next two years, alongside plans for expanded data infrastructure and energy capacity to support large-scale computing.
Beyond Luxury: AI for Business and Agriculture
AI adoption is extending far beyond design-led sectors. Startup Xtreme Gen AI, founded by Peush Bery, has developed a multilingual voice automation tool capable of handling inbound and outbound calls for Indian businesses. Designed for smaller enterprises without advanced technical resources, the system operates across multiple regional languages — a critical feature in a diverse and linguistically complex market.
However, as voice AI improves in accuracy, it could disrupt India’s massive call centre industry. Bery argues that while some roles may decline, new opportunities will emerge in data management and AI optimisation.
In agriculture, Soil Doctor is applying AI-powered soil diagnostics across 500 farms in 10 states. Working alongside NGOs, the startup supports rural communities — particularly women and youth — by providing data-driven fertiliser recommendations tailored to soil conditions. The goal is to reduce input costs while improving yields season after season.
Innovation vs. Employment Anxiety
Despite enthusiasm, AI adoption is not without resistance. Skilled jewellery designers and other workers trained over decades often feel uneasy about automation encroaching on creative and technical tasks. Yet many continue adapting, recognising that technological shifts are reshaping global competitiveness.
For India, the debate mirrors a broader global question: whether AI will replace traditional jobs or generate entirely new categories of employment. For now, startups across industries appear willing to embrace the transformation — blending centuries-old craftsmanship and agriculture with algorithms and machine learning.
The glittering Krishna brooch may therefore represent more than ornamental beauty; it signals a transitional moment where India’s entrepreneurial spirit seeks to harmonise artistry, technology and economic ambition.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and TJM Media Pvt Ltd. is not responsible for any errors in the same.
