Enabling Al Networks
fuelling growth for tomorrow
As we stand at the crossroads of a new era, I am reminded that every
generation has its own fuel for progress. In the 19th century, it was coal; in the 20th,
oil. Today, it is intelligence, both human and artificial.
From what we see in the news to the conversations happening in
boardrooms, artificial intelligence is changing the way we live and work every day. Right
now, -80% of companies around the world are exploring Al, with a market size of more than
$200 billion in 20251 and honestly, this is just the beginning.
What's exciting is how Al is driving real change across
industries. Take mining and manufacturing, for example. Al is optimising operations and
improving safety. Even in research, Al helps predict trends and outcomes in real time,
speeding up innovation. The potential is enormous, and with Al at our fingertips,
we're just starting to unlock what's possible.
India is embracing Al with open arms
"Manzil unheen ko milti hai, jinke sapanon mein jaan hoti hai.
Pankhon se kuch nahi hota, hausalon se udaan hoti hai."
These lines from a Hindi poet remind me that India's story is one
of resilience, curiosity, and the courage to dream big.
What makes me proud is how India is also shaping the global
conversation on Al. Prime Minister Modi's vision of responsible Alone that
balances innovation with fairness and inclusivityis gaining respect worldwide. I see
a country that's not just catching up but truly leading the way in embracing this
technology - right from hosting summits, forming partnerships, and setting standards that
will guide Al's future globally.
India's Al journey is already impressiveour adoption rate is
around 30%2, higher than the global average. Thanks to strong government
support through initiatives like the National Al Mission and Digital India, which
encourage innovation, research, and ethical use of Al. Our IT companies, telecom service
providers and startups are leading the charge, embedding Al into everything they do. One
of the leading Indian telcos, for example, is doing something incrediblemaking Al
tools affordable and accessible to millions of Indians, just like they did mobile internet
a decade back. They're building a massive Al infrastructure right here in India,
powered by clean energy, so our data stays secure and fuels innovation at home. This is a
big step toward making India a global hub for new-age manufacturing and services, where Al
helps small and medium businesses work more efficiently and sustainably.
Imagine the impact Al has on rural India, where farming is a way of
life. And in healthcare, Al-powered tools are making it easier to detect diseases early
and provide personalised care, even in remote areas. This means better health outcomes for
millions who might not have had access before.
Education is another area close to my heart. Al-driven learning
platforms are helping students across the country get tailored lessons that suit their
pace and style. This is crucial because the skills our youth need todaylike coding,
data analysis, and digital literacyare different from before. We want to empower
every child to be ready for the future.
By empowering our people with the skills and tools of tomorrow, and by
building Al-ready networks that unlock new value, we are not just keeping pace with the
worldwe are setting the pace.
Al-ready networks - not just about faster
connectivity
Al-ready networks not just define higher bandwidth connectivity but
they are also about unlocking new value across industries.
Three decades back we started to manufacture in India, setting up
plants in Aurangabad. But today, Optical fibre products manufactured in our very own
Indian plants are Connecting Billions of Lives across the World. We have been continuously
innovating and purpose engineering solutions catering to the unique requirements of our
customers.
As India invests heavily in Al capabilities, the need for robust,
high-performance networks becomes paramount. Our comprehensive portfolio ensures that we
can provide end-to-end solutions, from the core to the edge, enabling the deployment of
Al-ready networks across diverse geographical landscapes.
We have made some world-class innovations to bring novelty to fibre
optic designs and build Al-enabled networks. Our innovation is driven by co-creation with
customers and next-gen optical solutions. This includes developing ultra-thin optical
fibres (160-micron and 180-micron) and 864F Microcabies, crucial for building
high-density, future-ready network infrastructure. These products support Al's massive
data demands. We've also advanced Al-led data centre solutions, which is enabling
future-ready, scalable infrastructure. We have explored Multi-core Fiber (MCF) for quantum
communications and silicon photonics, with ability to carry multiple light paths within a
single fibre and enable ultra-high-speed, highly secure quantum-enabled networks,
essential for the next generation of Al and distributed computing.
We are not just creating products; we're designing and building the
intelligent, high-capacity, and future-proof networks that will power the next wave of Al
innovation, unlocking unprecedented value for our customers.
Innovation rooted in responsibility
At STL, we believe progress must be purposeful. As we advance the
frontiers of digital connectivity, our commitment to sustainability remains steadfast,
ensuring that innovation uplifts not only industry but also the planet.
In parallel, we began transitioning to UV-led curing technology in
fibre manufacturing, projected to save over 12 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually.
Our eco-labelled optical products continue to raise the bar, cutting energy use by 52% and
increasing waste reuse by 20%.
But our impact doesn't end at the factory gates. We've
replenished 2.69 million m3 of water in local communities and planted nearly
300,000 trees in Aurangabadnurturing ecosystems and creating long-term shared value.
We believe that true progress includes everyone, especially the women.
Through the Jeewan Jyoti Women Empowerment Initiative, we have empowered over 4,000 rural
women by providing vocational training in tailoring, beauty culture, nursing, digital
literacy, block printing, and embroidery. These efforts are supported by over 100 active
self-help groups, creating a robust ecosystem of economic participation, entrepreneurship,
and social upliftment.
Jeewan Jyoti is not just a programmeit's a movement of
confidence, creativity, and change, enabling women to step into the future with dignity
and purpose.
As we bid adieu to FY25 and enter FY26, I am privileged to be a
contributor towards Al-enabled digital networks. I once again thank you for your continued
support and encouragement in this journey.
Warm Regards, |
Anil Agarwal |
Non-Executive Chairman, STL |