AI key bridge to net-zero, not replacement for human expertise: Airbus India Chief Westermeier

Artificial intelligence (AI) should be positioned as a bridge to efficiency and sustainability rather than a substitute for human expertise, Jurgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director for India and South Asia at Airbus, said on Wednesday. 

Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi during a session titled “Unlocking EU–India Opportunities for the Twin Transition,” Westermeier described AI as a responsible and ethical enabler designed to augment human capability. 

‘AI is not a replacement for expertise’ 

“AI is not a replacement for expertise,” he said. “Whether through predictive maintenance, optimising logistics or streamlining complex engineering, AI allows us to move from abstract ambition to practical, high-impact results.” 

He added that AI can play a critical role in helping industries become more efficient and optimise resources as they work towards achieving net-zero goals. For sectors to remain competitive in the coming decades, sustainability must be embedded into design and governance frameworks from the outset rather than treated as an afterthought, he stressed. 

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Airbus, which has a significant presence in India, is deploying AI internally to support its workforce and improve operational efficiency, Westermeier said. 

The session highlighted the importance of EU–India cooperation in driving the “twin transition” of digital innovation and sustainability. Discussions focused on sector-specific applications of AI across energy, telecommunications, medical devices and digital services, with a focus on translating adoption into scalability, efficiency, and sustainable growth. Participants also examined the need for policy alignment and business-friendly frameworks, particularly to support small and medium enterprises. 

Growing importance of EU–India ties 

Roberto Viola from the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology at the European Commission said his second visit to India within 12 months underscored the growing importance of EU–India ties. “We made impressive progress in the last 12 months,” he said, expressing hope for the creation of a seamless knowledge area between the EU and India in the long term. 

Clas Neumann, Global Head of the SAP Labs Network at SAP, highlighted the need to analyse and optimise AI systems carefully to generate meaningful insights, while calling for supportive policies and regulatory frameworks to guide responsible adoption.