The Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal on Wednesday made it mandatory for persons to obtain a certificate before slaughtering animals such as buffaloes, cows and bulls. The administration barred public slaughter of the animals and said officials carrying out inspections to enforce the
The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday (May 14, 2026) it "denies reports" that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the country, after Mr. Netanyahu's office said he had met with the UAE President during the war with Iran. Mr. Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday (May 13
Lucknow, May 14 (PTI) Still in the hunt for a playoff berth despite an erratic campaign, Chennai Super Kings will look to continue their recent resilient run when they take on the already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants in an IPL match here on Friday.Lucknow
For the past few years, millets have enjoyed a remarkable glow-up. Once considered humble staples in many Indian homes, grains like bajra, jowar and ragi are now being marketed as modern superfoods—pitched as the answer to everything from weight loss and diabetes to better digestion and heart
Iran could be only weeks away from producing weapons-grade uranium, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned lawmakers, raising fresh concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee
Pragati: AI for Impact- Supporting entrepreneurs to empower people
India's development journey has often been shaped by the challenge of reaching those who live at the margins - remote & underserved communities and areas where infrastructure and human capacity are still catching up. The “last mile” is rarely a question of intent or funding alone; it is where gaps emerge despite efforts, because logistical hurdles, social norms, and incomplete data can limit the effect of even well- designed programs. The task ahead is not just to design solutions, but to ensure they are responsive to these on-ground realities, so that progress extends to every corner.
And it is through this lens that AI's growing role in creating social impact should be understood. Its value lies in going beyond being just a technological fix to supporting human effort - enhancing expertise, reducing burdens, and expanding access where traditional methods may fall short. This was recognised when Niti Aayog's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2018 outlined a vision of #AIforAll, focusing not only on the economic impact of AI but also on using it for the betterment of society. The IndiaAI Mission launched in 2025, continues this agenda by emphasising on inclusive datasets, sectoral innovation, and capacity building.
Leveraging AI for the last mile
Let's visualise this. Walk into a district school in rural India, and the challenges are immediately visible. Teachers manage overcrowded classrooms, attendance is tracked manually, and children often share limited textbooks or resources. The strain is less about intent and more about structural gaps.
This holds true across sectors- judicial courts, health clinics, agricultural farms- where individuals are eager to serve their communities, but systemic barriers often hold them back.
India's digital public infrastructure, like Aadhaar and UPI, has shown how foundational rails can reshape service delivery. Now, this approach is being replicated across sectors with initiatives like Agri Stack in agriculture which is building a unified digital farmer registry that connects land records, bank accounts, subsidies, and advisories. Similarly, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in health, DIKSHA in education, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce for e-commerce are working towards the same.
If designed inclusively, such stacks can ensure that AI solutions connect into trusted population scale public systems rather than work in silos. This possibility is the ethos behind organisations like Adalat AI, Intelehealth and Farmers for Forests, who are part of Pragati: AI for Impact initiative led by Meta and The/Nudge Institute.
Take the justice system. Adalat AI is building a justice tech stack that targets the administrative overload of Indian courts. Procedural delays, paper-heavy workflows, and a shortage of court staff leave judges burdened and litigants waiting. However, Adalat AI's real-time transcription engine, trained on Indian legal jargon and capable of handling multiple dialects in noisy courtroom conditions, achieves over 95% accuracy in multiple Indian languages. Combined with its case-flow management dashboard that integrates with court APIs to automatically schedule hearings, track case status, and digitise documents, the system aims to cut resolution times for over 4000+ courts. The expected outcome: fewer undertrials waiting in jails, judges with more time for substantive judicial work, and litigants or their families who no longer lose out on livelihoods.
In healthcare, the barriers look different but remain systemic and affect marginalised communities. A large percentage of women delay or forgo seeking healthcare because of barriers like lack of infrastructure, limited mobility, and restrictive social norms. Intelehealth addresses this by equipping nurses with an AI-powered assistant embedded in a telemedicine platform integrated into India's national digital health stack. The assistant, trained on several rural consultations, offers diagnostic and treatment guidance with 95–98% accuracy. Built to function offline and in 15+ languages, it helps ensure continuity of care even in low-resource settings. Much like how Ayushman Bharat digitally enabled health coverage, this example shows how AI can help extend reach and continuity of care at the last mile.
And in agriculture, the challenge is degraded land and weak incentives for change. Nearly 30% of India's farmland is degraded, and while farmers know monocropping exhausts soil, transitioning to agroforestry feels risky without trusted information or financial support. Farmers for Forests brings tools to this space: drones and satellite imagery combined with open-source algorithms for tree-crown detection, species identification, and survival tracking. These feed into carbon accounting systems that allow farmers to participate in carbon credit markets with verifiable data. The result: farmers diversifying their income streams, potentially increasing earnings, and restoring ecosystems that sequester f more carbon per acre than conventional practices. Works like Farmers for Forests complements Agri Stack's vision of linking farmers to markets and government schemes.
Together, these three examples point to a shared lesson. AI at the last mile is about reducing friction where intent already exists, embedding tools into human workflows, and designing systems that that fit real conditions.
Designing for Trust and Inclusion
What distinguishes these interventions is their focus on context. Intelehealth's AI is refined using rural consultation data, ensuring that recommendations are practical and culturally sensitive. Adalat AI's tools are tailored to local legal terminology and procedures, making them intuitive for court staff. Farmers for Forests integrates satellite and drone data with traditional knowledge.
Tools like Bhashini are also helping by breaking down linguistic barriers through their AI-driven language platform that provides translation across 22 official languages.
Ethical considerations are equally central. Data privacy, patient safety, and algorithmic fairness are embedded into design frameworks from the outset, guided by legal mandates like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). Transparent interfaces, explainable recommendations, and feedback loops help foster trust in communities.
Beyond Scale: Precision, Partnership, and Patience
The drive to scale rapidly is common, but India's digital journey shows that precision and stakeholder feedback are what sustain adoption. UPI and CoWIN succeeded not just because they were designed for scale but also because they were co-created with users, tested iteratively, and built on local trust.
A Broader Vision for Technology in Development
AI could boost India's GDP by $500–600 billion by 2035. But these gains will most matter if they reach the last mile. AI's role lies in easing constraints at the grassroots.
For policymakers, funders, and practitioners, the task is clear: design interventions that work with people. By supporting expertise, reducing administrative tasks, and aligning systems with human realities, they can create solutions that are sustainable, scalable and equitable.
The organisations Adalat AI, Intelehealth and Farmers for Forests are part of the Pragati: AI for Impact initiative by Meta and The/Nudge Institute. For more information, visit website.
Note to the Reader: This article is part of Hindustan Times' promotional consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. Hindustan Times assumes no editorial responsibility for the content.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Decoding Chennai’s Heart-Shaped Traffic Light How three daughters were shaped by their mothers’ sacrifices Know how Theia’s collision shaped Earth and the Moon A look back at the events that shaped the world in 2025 Inside the permit rooms that shaped Chennai’s nightlife 50 years ago, how an American woman’s coma shaped the legal debate on end-of-life care Young anacondas use surprising S-shaped gait to make quick escapes Dhurandhar Fans Fascinated By Turban Expert Who Shaped Baloch Looks America's Next Top Model shaped reality TV How Scotland shaped Frankenstein on page and screen
Moving on from his controversial past, England call back pacer and call him 'world class'During the India tour in 2024, the fast bowler ran his mouth on a podcast, and on the field of play performed terribly. Updated on: May 14, 2026 10:49 AM IST Written by Prateek Srivastava Share via Copy link
1 days ago
India on Wednesday banned exports of raw, white and refined sugar with immediate effect until September 30, as the government moved to contain domestic prices and protect supplies amid uncertainty linked to the war in West Asia, Reuters reported
1 days ago
Heavy security at AIADMK headquarters in Chennai following internal splitThe party is currently facing a significant internal rift, with one faction led by its general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and a dissident group. Updated on: May 14
1 days ago
Sugar stocks traded lower on Thursday after the Centre banned sugar exports with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, in a move aimed at ensuring adequate domestic availability and controlling prices. Following the announcement, shares of major sugar companies came under pressure and traded
1 days ago
Had there been morality, NEET paper would not have leaked: Rajasthan GovernorHad there been morality, NEET paper would not have leaked: Rajasthan Governor Published on: May 14, 2026 12:45 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Kota, If there had been any morality, the NEET paper would not have leaked
1 days ago
The central government has banned sugar exports with immediate effect till September 30, 2026, or until further orders, in a move aimed at safeguarding domestic supplies and ensuring food security amid concerns over production and availability
1 days ago
As US President Donald Trump touches down in Beijing, Iran expresses hope that Xi Jinping will push for a solution to the Hormuz crisis. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr Kazem Gharibabadi, told CNN-News18 during a media interaction that since China too was suffering because of the Hormuz naval
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Was your cabin suitcase stopped at the boarding gate again? Here’s how to avoid getting gate checked at the airportKeep your cabin suitcase with you by packing smarter using a
1 days ago
As global health authorities continue to monitor the situation, the hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has escalated, with nine confirmed cases reported so far and more expected in the coming weeks. Around 150 passengers and crew members have now begun returning
1 days ago
An Indian woman travelling through Southeast Asia has shared her frustrating experience of allegedly being stopped from boarding a flight to Cambodia despite carrying valid documents and proof of funds. In an Instagram video, the traveller claimed she was asked to show hundreds of dollars in cash
1 days ago
ChudTheBuilder update: What charges is streamer facing after shooting? Attempted murder, aggravated assault and moreChudTheBuilder, whose real name is Dalton Eatherly, has been charged in connection to a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse. Published on: May 14
1 days ago
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America faces a significant risk from soaring temperatures. Scientists warn that many matches could be played in dangerous heat conditions, potentially impacting player welfare and performance. Some games may even require postponement
1 days ago
Kannada actor-producer Dileep Raj’s sudden death left everyone shocked and numb. Raj passed away in the wee hours of Wednesday due to a cardiac arrest. As the nation mourns the actor’s death, a new report has revealed some shocking details. If a report by Udayavani is to be believed
1 days ago
Haryana Board HBSE 10th Class Result 2026 Date, Time, Direct Link at bseh.org.in Live Updates: The Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) is all set to announce the HBSE Class 10 Result 2026 today, May 14. It will be released at noon. Once out
1 days ago
A South Carolina court has overturned the 2023 murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced lawyer who was convicted of killing his wife and son. The state's supreme court on Wednesday ordered a new trial for Murdaugh over the June 2021 killings
1 days ago
On a new TV tech turf, Xiaomi S Mini LED TV 75 makes a strong case for dominanceFor a TV with flagship aspirations taking the battle to Samsung and others, Xiaomi’s hardware foundation is overlaid with attentive image processing Published on: May 14
1 days ago
Gurgaon man worked as Uber driver to pay rent and EMIs after being fired suddenlyThe Gurgaon man shared that the aftermath of being fired from the company where he had worked diligently and loyally was brutal. Published on: May 14, 2026 10:17 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link "Loyalty
1 days ago
A woman who fought breast cancer comes back stronger and shares her story in a powerful reel. As one scrolls down @sriorcoimbatore page on Instagram, another reel pops up. It offers a simple advice on maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables
1 days ago
Absence of minister affecting General Education Dept functioning: CPI(M) leader SivankuttyAbsence of minister affecting General Education Dept functioning: CPI(M) leader Sivankutty Published on: May 14, 2026 9:05 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Thiruvananthapuram
1 days ago
In a thrilling encounter, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr team clinched a 1-1 draw against rivals Al-Hilal thanks to a last-minute own goal. With the Saudi Pro League title hanging in the balance, Al-Nassr remains in the lead by a five-point margin
1 days ago
Oklahoma man to be executed for killing ex-girlfriend, her 7-month-old daughterRaymond Johnson, 52, was scheduled to receive a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Updated on: May 14, 2026 10:59 AM IST AP Share via Copy link An Oklahoma man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and
1 days ago
Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan lauded the party's High Command for its transparent selection process for Kerala's next Chief Minister. He stated Rahul Gandhi was directly involved. Radhakrishnan expressed happiness with the democratic procedure
1 days ago
LinkedIn Layoffs: The cuts are part of an internal reorganisation aimed at focusing resources on areas of stronger business growth, rather than a response to AI replacing roles. Microsoft-owned professional networking platform LinkedIn is preparing to reduce its workforce by around 5% as part of a
1 days ago
Nahan (HP), May 14 (PTI) A suspect has been taken into custody after a woman’s partially burnt body was found in a forest near a police battalion camp in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmour district, police said. The body of the woman, who is stated to be in her late 30s
1 days ago
Marathi signboards within a month or 'Shiv Sena-style' action: Mumbai deputy mayor to shops, hotelsThe Mumbai deputy mayor warned of a ‘Shiv Sena-style’ action if establishments fail to install prominently visible Marathi signboards. Updated on: May 14
1 days ago
P. Krishnakumar, who guided Jammu and Kashmir to a historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph this year as the side’s bowling coach, is also in line to be the third fast bowling coach. Former India pacers VRV Singh and Lakshmipathy Balaji will reportedly join the Board of Control for Cricket in
1 days ago
Gold, Silver Rate Today May 14: Check 18, 22, 24 carat Gold prices in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata Gold, Silver Rate Today, May 14: Gold prices continue to witness fluctuation amid the ongoing US war against Iran, causing uncertainty across the world markets. Earlier on Wednesday
1 days ago
![New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): India, on Wednesday, banned sugar exports with immediate effect until September 30, 2026, or until further orders](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/india-bans-sugar-exports-with-immediate-effect-until-september-2026.webp?width=120&height=70)
