In a country that’s long balanced ancient reverence for life with the demands of rapid modernisation, a quiet revolution is beginning to take root – powered not by politics or protest, but by algorithms and compassion.
From elephant electrocutions in Odisha to leopards hit by speeding cars in Mumbai, and a surge in stray dog incidents in urban neighbourhoods, human-animal conflict is rapidly becoming one of India’s most pressing developmental dilemmas. As cities expand and natural habitats shrink, animals – both wild and domestic – are increasingly caught in the crossfire.
Now, a new generation of technologists is stepping up. In a quiet shift, India’s tech-savvy youth is beginning to ask: What if artificial intelligence could help?
Last week in Mumbai, more than 150 AI engineers, coders, and innovators from institutions like IIT Bombay, MIT-India, and rising Indian startups gathered for a hackathon unlike any other, not aimed at commercial gain, but at designing real-world AI tools for animal welfare and environmental justice.
BUIDLING TOOLS FOR THE FRONTLINES
In 24-hours, participants developed AI-driven prototypes in response to live problem statements submitted by NGOs, grassroots rescuers, and citizen-led animal welfare movements. The event was convened by global tech-for-good pioneers Electric Sheep and OpenPaws, with support from organisations including ProVeg, Craigslist CF, Mobius, and the Bharat Accountability Initiative.
The solutions they built will help in a range of ways such as scan cruelty complaints and categorizes urgent cases for immediate rescue coordination; use machine learning to monitor regulatory filings and flag violations in industries like meat processing and dairy.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF INNOVATION
Unlike most hackathons, this one intentionally broke from the typical startup playbook. There were no trophies or pitch decks, and no competition for funding. Instead, participants collaborated across disciplines and ideologies, focusing on solutions that could genuinely serve those working on the ground.
“The innovation and ingenuity that these young coders demonstrated represents a quantum leap in how technology can serve animal and climate advocacy,” said Ash Singh, CEO of Electric Sheep. “India’s combination of tech talent and mission alignment can drive impact as we’ve never before seen. We’ve worked in Silicon Valley and across Europe and India’s AI talent is right up there in terms of proficiency and creativity.”
WHY THIS MOMENT MATTERS
India is already emerging as a global AI powerhouse – from generative AI startups to national-level computing infrastructure investments. But amid the race for scale and capital, some voices are now asking whether India’s tech vision must also reflect its cultural ethos: compassion, non-violence, and ecological stewardship.
“This is India’s moment to lead,” said Sam Tucker-Davis, Executive Director of OpenPaws. “We’re not just mentoring coders, we’re brokering lifelong collaborations between India’s tech community and movements that need AI the most. The mentorship model we’ve developed allows participants to achieve remarkable results, and the solutions created here will have lasting impact across the movement.”
What began in Mumbai is now being scaled. Organisers are setting up an open-source library of the tools, planning expanded editions in Bengaluru and Delhi, and developing a dedicated AI-for-impact incubator based in India.
Conversations are underway with global NGOs and Indian municipalities to integrate some of the technologies into animal rescue, regulation, and public engagement platforms.
FROM NICHE TO NATIONAL
While the tools are still early-stage, the momentum is real. The event’s success has sparked a broader conversation about what it means to be a technologist in 2025 India.
“When India’s tech prowess meets her ancient culture of compassion, world-changing things happen. We’re here to go big on Bharat,”added Singh.
It’s time to build the future we all want to live in. And it turns out, the future may have four legs, a wagging tail, or wings.
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