In an engaging session at the SATCAB Symposium 2025, Upendrra Rai, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Express, discussed the rapid advancements in television and digital media and their impact on the employment landscape.
The event, held on March 20, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, was co-organized by Zee Entertainment and the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBW).
In this regard, the discussion was moderated by Avinash Pandey, Director of Laqshya Media Group.
Building on this foundation, the primary theme of the symposium was ‘What’s Making News and Connecting the CTV Dots’, shedding light on the rise of connected TV.
CMD Upendrra Rai opened his speech by discussing the early days of television in India.
He shared that television services launched in 1959, but it took 16 years for the technology to reach just seven cities.
By 1982, India witnessed the introduction of color television, which dramatically changed the viewing experience.
CMD Upendrra Rai then addressed the role of AI in today’s media landscape, asserting that AI would not lead to job losses.
He stated, “For every 85,000 jobs lost, 95,000 new jobs will be created,” countering the common misconception that AI will eliminate employment.
CMD Upendrra Rai also delved into a philosophical perspective, dividing human evolution into seven distinct epochs.
He described the early stages of human life as primitive, where humans were fearful of animals and lived in constant struggle.
However, as civilization progressed, he noted that humans began to form communities, discover agriculture, and establish empires.
CMD Upendra Rai highlighted the industrial revolution as a key turning point. In continuation of this progress, he emphasized that today’s ‘AI era’ marks the eighth and most transformative epoch, full of infinite opportunities.
CMD Upendrra Rai also spoke about how technological progress is reshaping the world.
He pointed out that many of the top CEOs in leading American companies are of Indian origin, which, consequently, underscores India’s growing global influence.
Looking ahead, he speculated that in the coming decades, smartphones would become even more advanced, with features like built-in chips and virtual interactions, making devices that no longer require charging or SIM cards.
CMD Upendrra Rai painted a picture of the future, suggesting that by 2050, we could see flying cars powered by drones and hydro-technology.
He further discussed the increasing demand for compact, convenient media experiences, predicting that in the near future, people would watch TV on handheld devices no larger than a palm.
CMD Upendrra Rai’s address at the SATCAB Symposium 2025 was an optimistic look at how AI and technology will redefine both employment and the media industry.
His remarks highlighted the endless opportunities AI presents, countering fears of job losses and illustrating how technological advancements will shape the future in exciting and transformative ways.
The event featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders.
The panel included:
The diverse expertise of the panelists brought valuable insights into the evolving media landscape and trends in the industry.
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