New Delhi: Athena Infonomics has appointed Nakul Jain as Chief Executive Officer of APLYD, its dedicated platform focused on helping governments build systems, capabilities and governance to deploy artificial intelligence across public services. Jain, who co-founded APLYD, will also join Athena Infonomics as a Partner.
The appointment marks the next phase of Athena Infonomics’ sixteen-year journey of working with governments to strengthen public institutions through data, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. APLYD brings together the firm’s AI initiatives under a dedicated identity, building on its implementation experience across government while expanding its focus on institutional intelligence and the responsible adoption of AI.
Jain’s appointment comes as governments move from exploring the potential of AI to implementing it within public institutions. The shift is placing greater emphasis on the policies, capabilities and delivery systems required to deploy AI responsibly and at scale.
“For fifteen years I’ve worked with ministries and public institutions, and I’ve watched technology change people’s lives when it’s built to be accessible and to serve the public,” Nakul said. “At APLYD, I want AI to reach beyond early adopters to every ministry, every district, and every citizen who stands to benefit. The team has the expertise and the ambition to do it, backed by Athena Infonomics’ long record with governments. I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”
Jain brings 15 years of experience in building digital systems and AI solutions for the public sector. He previously served as CEO and Managing Director of Wadhwani AI Global, where he led the organisation’s expansion across Latin America and Africa. Earlier, as Vice President of Products & Solutions at Wadhwani AI India, he oversaw more than 25 AI deployments across India.
Vijay Bhalaki, Co-Founder, Athena Infonomics and APLYD, said, “Nakul has spent his career doing the hard part of AI, making it work inside government institutions, under real constraints and at a meaningful scale. That experience is rare, and it’s exactly what APLYD was built for. As we bring together Athena Infonomics’ AI work under APLYD, there is no one better placed to lead its next chapter.”
“For years, we’ve helped governments make better decisions with evidence and data,” added Deepa Karthykeyan, Co-Founder of Athena Infonomics and APLYD. “AI gives us the opportunity to take that work further, helping governments build the capability to use these systems independently and at scale. With Nakul leading APLYD, we’re excited to help shape that next chapter.”
