Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: India Today AI Summit 2026: In future everyone will have an AI Agent, says MIT Lab professor Ramesh Raskar in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
At the India Today AI Summit 2026, Ramesh Raskar, associate professor at MIT Media Lab and head of the Camera Culture Group, presented a vision of personal AI agents for every citizen, drawing comparisons with India’s Aadhaar system. Speaking to a packed audience, Raskar framed the technology as a way to democratise access to services, particularly for those in rural or underserved areas.
Using a hypothetical example, he described a 70-year-old woman from Bihar, who could rely on her AI agent to manage tasks ranging from travel bookings to food preferences during large gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela. “Imagine if Sita Bai could simply pick up her phone, and her AI agent handled all her requirements—travel, accommodation, dietary needs—without her having to call anyone,” Raskar said. These agents would communicate with vendors and event organisers through decentralised platforms like Dooth and ONDC, allowing seamless coordination without central oversight.
Raskar asserted that this approach builds on India’s existing digital infrastructure. “Just as UPI revolutionised financial access by making transactions simple and universal, AI agents can transform everyday interactions, making services accessible to anyone with a phone,” he said. By linking personal AI agents to public digital infrastructure, Raskar said India could pioneer a scalable, decentralised AI ecosystem.
From Centralised AI to a Bazaar of AI Agents
Raskar drew a clear distinction between what he called the “factory phase” of AI and the emerging “bazaar phase.” In the factory phase, AI development is dominated by a handful of global tech companies, requiring centralised computing, massive data, and multi-billion-dollar investments. Consumers largely use AI products created by these companies, with limited control over customisation.
The bazaar phase, Raskar argued, represents a change toward decentralisation and individual agency. In this phase, every person could train their own AI agent, customise it according to personal needs, and allow it to interact with other agents autonomously. He described a future where AI agents not only manage daily life but also participate in a parallel economy, offering services, generating revenue, and even competing with other agents.
“This is a move toward a creative economy,” Raskar said. “Every user can shape their own AI experience. Agents could manage education, health, travel, and commerce, creating a democratised system where technology serves the individual rather than controlling them.”
He also revealed the technology that will power this vision. Platforms like Dooth, supported by NANDA (Network AI Agents in Decentralised Architecture), will allow agents to connect, learn, and operate on behalf of their users. This, he said, could give rise to entirely new socioeconomic structures, including agent-run services, marketplaces, and even dispute resolution mechanisms.
Raskar concluded with an optimistic outlook for India. He said the country’s strong identity and payment infrastructure position it uniquely to adopt personal AI agents at scale. “In some years, all of us may have our own AI agent — Dooth for all,” he said, underlining the potential for AI to enhance daily life while preserving human agency and creativity.
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