BES Expo 2026: Shaping India’s AI-Driven Media Future

Media & Entertainment at an Inflection Point

Delivering the key policy address, Shri Sanjay Jaju, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, highlighted the transformational role of AI in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, which supports nearly one crore livelihoods across radio, television, cinema, and digital platforms.

Thanking BES for the scale and coordination of the expo, he remarked:

“AI is often called over-hyped, but in reality, it is under-hyped in its real-world impact.”

From Studios to Button-Click Efficiency

AI as an Agent, Not Just a Tool

Drawing parallels with the arrival of the internet, Shri Jaju explained how AI is reshaping content creation, production workflows, and editorial decision-making. He noted that media operations are shifting from heavy studio-driven processes to button-click efficiency, dramatically improving productivity.

Importantly, he emphasized:

AI should not be viewed merely as a tool, but as an agent

Capable of optimisation, multilingual content creation, and assisted decision-making

While dystopian fears exist, AI’s employment impact has been far less disruptive than anticipated

Regulatory Reform and New Distribution Models

Digital Radio, DTM and Ease of Doing Business

Highlighting structural shifts in broadcasting, Shri Jaju spoke about:

Digital Radio

Direct-to-Mobile (DTM) broadcasting for terrestrial digital distribution

Expanding access for citizens without reliable internet connectivity

He also underscored the role of the Broadcast Seva Portal, describing it as a single-window system that enhances Ease of Doing Business by simplifying licensing and compliance.

“It is time to move from discussion to delivery, and from prototypes to scalable models.

WAVES: A Process, Not an Event

Building India’s Media Value Chain

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Shri Jaju described WAVES as a long-term process, not a one-time initiative.

Key platforms include:

WAVES Bazaar

WaveX (content creation and innovation chain)

“One wave should lead to another—that is the nature of a wave,” he said, stressing collaboration across the media ecosystem.

Public Broadcasting in the AI Era

Trust, Integrity and National Reach

Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, Prasar Bharati, spoke about the evolving broadcast landscape at the intersection of policy, technology, and public trust.

He highlighted:

Cloud-based IT systems and intelligent production tools

The strategic importance of D2M

Prasar Bharati’s role during national emergencies

Its unmatched reach in rural and remote regions

Positioning AI as assistive rather than replacement, he stressed its role in:

• Linguistic diversity
• Authenticated journalism
• Citizen-centric and verified information delivery
• AI in the Newsroom: A Live Demonstration

India Today’s AI Anchor ‘Sana’

Offering an industry perspective, Ms. Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson & Executive Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group, presented a live demonstration of the AI news anchor ‘Sana’, drawing strong audience interest.

Quoting the AI anchor:

“I won’t take over unless someone plugs me in.”

She emphasized that while AI boosts speed, efficiency, and engagement, human creativity, editorial judgment, and accountability remain central.

BES: Beyond Exhibition to Capability Building

Education, Skills and Indigenous Innovation

Concluding the leadership perspectives, Sunil Sir, President, Broadcast Engineering Society (BES), reaffirmed BES’s commitment to:

• Education and training
• Skill development
• Sustainable and responsible innovation

He noted that participation at BES Expo 2026 nearly doubled compared to last year, reflecting growing industry momentum.

“AI in media broadcasting is no longer a future concept—it is the present.”

Conclusion: India Ready to Lead the Next Media Wave

BES Expo 2026 stood out not merely as an exhibition, but as a strategic forum shaping India’s AI-enabled, inclusive, and Make-in-India broadcasting future—signalling the country’s readiness to lead the next global wave of media transformation.

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