India is targeting an increase in its manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from 16% to 25%. In a discussion led by Anirban Chowdhury, industry experts Vinod Kumar (PwC India) and Srihari Kaninghat (JSW Group) explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing. They highlight how AI technologies are quietly revolutionizing processes such as steel production by slashing material costs and predicting machine failures before they occur. The experts emphasize the importance of moving beyond pilot projects to achieve meaningful advancements. Notably, they express optimism that AI can make manufacturing appealing again, helping to draw India's brightest engineering talents away from the IT sector and back into industry roles. This conversation aims to reshape perceptions of AI, moving beyond its common association with chatbots to its practical applications in manufacturing.