In a significant step toward AI-led transformation in the media industry, the India Today Group has appointed Nilanjan Das as its Chief AI Officer. This appointment underscores the media conglomerate’s commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence for newsroom innovation, operational efficiency, and enhanced audience engagement.
Das brings with him over two decades of experience in digital transformation, data strategy, and advanced technology integration across diverse industries. His new role at India Today Group marks a strategic pivot toward integrating AI at the heart of the company’s editorial and operational workflows.
A First-of-Its-Kind Move in Indian Media
This is among the first appointments of a Chief AI Officer in the Indian media landscape, signaling the growing importance of AI across content creation, personalization, and distribution strategies. Nilanjan Das will spearhead initiatives to embed artificial intelligence across editorial operations, advertising, marketing, analytics, and consumer experience. The move comes at a time when AI is playing a critical role in transforming the media and entertainment sector globally.
According to internal sources, the India Today Group plans to implement AI-driven tools that assist in automating repetitive editorial tasks, enhancing content recommendations, improving personalization for readers, and optimizing ad performance. Das is expected to lead the development and deployment of these tools while ensuring editorial integrity and ethical considerations.
Nilanjan Das: Track Record in AI and Strategy
Prior to joining India Today Group, Nilanjan Das held multiple leadership roles where he led high-impact digital and data transformation projects. His expertise spans across AI/ML, cloud computing, digital analytics, and data governance—skills that are increasingly vital for the evolving needs of digital-first media companies.
In earlier roles, Das contributed to technology transformation initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and large-scale enterprises in both consulting and leadership capacities. His experience is expected to bridge the gap between editorial needs and technology execution, creating AI solutions tailored to the media ecosystem.
AI in the Newsroom: A Growing Trend
The India Today Group’s decision to onboard a Chief AI Officer aligns with a broader global trend where media companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence. Global publishers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC have already been exploring generative AI tools for story drafts, real-time data analysis, content tagging, and even automated video generation.
However, India’s media market has remained relatively cautious in adopting AI at scale. India Today’s bold move may prompt similar actions across other leading publications as they strive to keep pace with evolving reader expectations and digital consumption patterns.
Ethical AI at the Core
As AI continues to penetrate content generation and recommendation engines, concerns around misinformation, algorithmic bias, and transparency are rising. India Today Group has clarified that AI implementation under Nilanjan Das’s leadership will be guided by a strong focus on editorial responsibility, data ethics, and accountability.
There will also be training and upskilling programs for journalists, editors, and content creators to help them collaborate with AI tools rather than compete against them. The goal, according to insiders, is to augment human creativity with machine learning, not replace it.
Looking Ahead
This strategic leadership appointment is not only about staying relevant in the digital age but also about setting a precedent for how Indian media houses can embrace innovation responsibly. Das’s vision includes fostering a culture of experimentation, encouraging cross-functional AI adoption, and building internal platforms that drive measurable business outcomes.
The industry will closely watch how the India Today Group navigates this transformation and how Nilanjan Das’s leadership shapes the next chapter of AI in Indian journalism.