India launches research lab to ensure AI benefits workers globally

The Institute for Human Flourishing (IHF), headquartered in India, was formally launched during the United Nations General Assembly week to address how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to expand economic opportunities for workers worldwide. Founded by entrepreneur Ravi Venkatesan and helmed by Chief Executive Officer Urvashi Aneja, the initiative has secured backing from The Rockefeller Foundation and Schmidt Philanthropies.

The Government of India's Expert Group on Human Flourishing has formally endorsed the institute's mission, underscoring New Delhi's commitment to ensuring AI development aligns with broader development goals. MeitY Secretary S Krishnan stated that the initiative complements India's AI approach, which frames technology as a public good designed to expand opportunity across society.

"Building rigorous evidence on how AI can strengthen livelihoods, particularly in the informal economy, complements the government's efforts under the IndiaAI Mission," Krishnan said. The IHF plans to establish a Livelihoods Lab that will conduct real-world demonstrations of human-AI collaboration, generating empirical data on workplace integration and economic impact.

The institute's research agenda focuses on emerging markets and developing economies where informal employment predominates, addressing a critical gap in global AI policy discourse. By examining practical applications of AI in diverse economic contexts, the IHF aims to inform policy frameworks that maximise worker welfare while harnessing technological advancement.