Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta is a globally recognized public policy leader, AI researcher, and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of the internet, innovation, economy, and human development. His work reflects a pioneering effort to reposition the internet not merely as a communication tool, but as the foundational infrastructure for inclusive growth, employment generation, and societal transformation. Over the years, he has worked extensively with governments, multilateral institutions, industry leaders, and academia to shape policy frameworks that leverage technology for equitable and sustainable development.
An innovator in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Gupta is the creator of the Functional AI Pyramid — the AI Maturity Model that is increasingly being seen as a defining framework for understanding the progression and deployment of AI across organizations, industries, and governments. His work focuses on translating AI from theory into real-world implementation and societal impact. He is also a strong global advocate of the philosophy “Internet for All for Livelihood for All,” emphasizing that digital connectivity must lead to economic empowerment and meaningful participation in the digital economy.
As a founding contributor to the Dynamic Coalition on Digital Economy under the United Nations Internet Governance Forum ecosystem, he has contributed to global conversations on the future of digital governance, digital inclusion, and equitable participation in the internet economy. He is also the architect of the Distributed Growth Model, a development framework that leverages connectivity, digital skills, and platform access to generate employment where people live rather than forcing migration to economic centers. The model proposes that the internet should function as an economic equalizer — decentralizing opportunity, strengthening local economies, and reducing inequality between regions and nations.
Through Project CREATE, he has advanced a global movement advocating that every connected individual should be able to create economic value online, not merely consume content. The initiative promotes digital capacity-building, entrepreneurship, and participation in the digital economy as core pillars of future public policy.
Dr. Gupta is the founder of the Digital First Foundation, Health Parliament, Academy of Digital Health Sciences, and International Patients’ Union. He is also the ideator of the Responsible Nations’ Index, Viksit Bharat Abhiyan (Developed India Mission) - now a flagship economic vision of the Government of India, and continues to lead global efforts focused on digital transformation, future economies, AI governance, healthcare innovation, and inclusive human development.
