Technology may change rapidly, but constitutional values must endure: MoS L. Murugan
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan on Tuesday urged India’s burgeoning community of digital creators to adopt artificial intelligence as a force multiplier for creativity, while anchoring their work in the Constitution’s enduring principles.
“The future should not be: AI versus creators. It should be: AI empowering creators,” he said, encouraging young innovators to “Create with courage. Create with responsibility. Create with purpose.”
Constitutional compass for the digital age
Speaking at the YouTube Impact Summit 2026, themed “Co-Creating Impact: India’s Digital Leadership and the Orange Economy,” Mr. Murugan underscored that while “technology changes rapidly, constitutional values endure.” He highlighted the continuing relevance of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as India scales its digital transformation.
Invoking Article 19 of the Constitution, he said the freedom to create carries corresponding duties, and cited the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A as a call to responsible creation, sharing, verification and innovation in the digital era. The Minister framed these obligations as essential to maintaining trust, integrity and inclusion across India’s expanding digital public sphere.
Creative economy’s growing footprint
Emphasising the economic and cultural momentum of India’s digital landscape, Mr. Murugan said the country’s creative sector is increasingly driving growth, employment and global outreach. The YouTube Impact Report released at the Summit estimated that YouTube’s creative ecosystem contributed more than Rs. 18,000 crore to India’s GDP in 2025 and supported over 9.6 lakh full-time-equivalent jobs nationwide.
He added that content produced in India is attracting significant global audiences, with more than 15% of its watch time coming from viewers outside the country. More than 18,000 Indian YouTube channels have surpassed the one-million-subscriber milestone, reflecting the sector’s expanding scale and reach.
From consumers to creators, users to innovators
Mr. Murugan highlighted the broader trajectory of India’s digital transformation—spanning digital payments, digital public infrastructure, startups, artificial intelligence, affordable connectivity and digital education—as a platform that enables creators from every district, language and community to connect with global audiences.
Calling for a shift “from consumers to creators, users to innovators, and content consumption to intellectual-property creation,” he invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Create in India, Create for the World.” He also spotlighted the three pillars of the Orange Economy—content, creativity and culture—as the foundation for sustainable growth in the creative industries.
Summit highlights and new initiatives
The Summit, which brought together policymakers, technology leaders, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators, featured the unveiling of “Create with AI” films developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT). The films aim to demonstrate how emerging AI tools can support storytelling, production and distribution while preserving creative intent.
Mr. Murugan also pointed to a suite of initiatives designed to identify, develop and connect creative talent with markets. These include WAVES, IICT, Create in India Challenges, Gems of India, WAVES Bazaar, MyWAVES and Creator’s Corner—programmes intended to strengthen the ecosystem for creators and foster pathways from discovery to monetisation.
Balancing innovation with responsibility
Reiterating the need for a principled approach to digital innovation, the Minister said India’s constitutional values offer a consistent framework amid rapid technological change. He urged creators and platforms alike to align growth with responsibility, ensuring that innovation remains inclusive and beneficial to society at large.
“As we embrace new tools and possibilities, our commitment to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity must guide us,” Mr. Murugan said, framing the moment as an opportunity to pair technological advances with a renewed focus on ethical creation and community impact.
