In his keynote address at the 2nd edition of Chandigarh University's CU Scholars' Summit 2026 on 1 July 2026, Lt General (Retd) Raj Shukla outlined the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on national security, the economy and society. Describing AI as a foundational technology, he argued that it will create a new divide between strategic "haves" and "have-nots" while playing a defining role in achieving a "Samriddh Viksit Bharat". Highlighting the military's shift from hardware-driven institutions to software-centric organisations, he said AI is reshaping every sector and that choosing not to engage with it is no longer an option. Addressing concerns over job losses, Shukla noted that demand for AI professionals continues to grow globally and stressed that while AI will challenge human capabilities, it will not surpass them. Instead, he argued that the convergence of human intelligence and AI will enhance human potential, making AI a transformative force that must be embraced with confidence and intelligence.