At a time when conversations around AI often revolve around automation and job loss, Bridgital Loom is trying to tell a very different story: one where technology works quietly in the background to support artisans rather than replace them. During a conversation with Muthulakshmi Nellaiappan, Head of AI Strategy at Bridgital Loom, the focus was not just on software or machines, but on people, especially the weavers who keep India’s handloom heritage alive. The initiative, backed by Tata and TCS, is about blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology in a way that feels practical, accessible and respectful of the art form itself. Instead of turning looms into factories, the idea is to make weaving smarter, easier and more rewarding for those who rely on it for their livelihood.
‘Bridgital Loom is about empowering weavers with current-day technologies, including AI, from the moment a fabric is conceptualised to the time it is woven,’ Muthulakshmi explained. She emphasised that the goal is not to change the craft but to reduce the time taken and improve the quality of the final product. In simpler terms, the technology acts like a guide sitting next to the weaver, helping them avoid mistakes and execute complex patterns more confidently.
One of the biggest challenges in traditional weaving is the cost of raw materials. Pure silk, for instance, is expensive, and even a small mistake in a sari can lead to unsold inventory. According to Muthulakshmi, that loss often falls on the weaver rather than the larger value chain. ‘If a mistake happens in a sari, the fine eventually goes to the weaver, and the product may remain unsold,’ she said. Bridgital Loom’s solution uses LED-assisted guidance to help artisans pick the right colours while interlacing threads, reducing design errors almost completely during trials.
What makes this particularly interesting is how it changes the learning curve. Traditionally, weaving skills were passed down from a young age, with artisans spending more than a decade mastering intricate patterns. Today, many younger weavers enter the craft later in life, often after finishing school. Bridgital Loom aims to shorten that journey by acting as an assistive system. ‘With the technologies we have today, providing assistive solutions to artisans makes a huge difference in their livelihood,’ Muthulakshmi noted. The idea is not to replace expertise but to help newcomers reach a high level of skill much faster.
One example she shared highlights how the platform expands creative possibilities. Even experienced weavers typically limit themselves to around 15 colours in a sari because anything beyond that becomes difficult to track mentally. ‘We’ve experimented with designs that go up to nearly 30 colours,’ she said. With visual guidance from the system, artisans no longer need to memorise every step. Many weavers, especially those working from home with family members, often step away from the loom to manage household tasks. Earlier, returning to the exact point in a complex design could be challenging. Now, they can resume work without worrying about losing their place.
Beyond convenience, the financial impact is where Bridgital Loom hopes to make a real difference. ‘Our focus was mainly to improve the quality of the weave,’ Muthulakshmi said. More intricate designs naturally increase the value of a sari, sometimes by three to five times. She explained that a simple pure silk sari might already cost tens of thousands of rupees due to material quality, but adding complex patterns or detailed pallus can significantly raise its worth. Since weavers are often graded based on the complexity of work they can produce, being able to handle advanced designs earlier in their careers can lead to better earnings.
In practical terms, this means technology is not creating more work for artisans but enabling better margins through higher-value craftsmanship. ‘The younger weaver who has just entered the skill can become a master sooner than it would normally take,’ she added. That shift could also encourage more people to stay in the profession at a time when many traditional crafts struggle to attract the next generation.
Of course, introducing software into a centuries-old craft comes with concerns about losing authenticity. Muthulakshmi addressed this directly. ‘One thing we’ve consciously done is ensure the solution works with both electronic jacquard looms and traditional manual looms,’ she said. Since a large percentage of India’s handlooms are still non-electronic, compatibility was essential for scaling the technology across different regions and weaving communities.
Interestingly, the design philosophy also reflects a strong respect for handmade artistry. The system is built to assist with intricate designs that cannot be replicated easily on automated power looms. In other words, the technology aims to protect what makes handloom fabrics special rather than standardising them into mass-produced patterns.
In many ways, Bridgital Loom represents a quieter side of AI innovation. By bridging the gap between digital tools and physical craftsmanship, the initiative is trying to create a future where heritage skills continue to evolve without losing their soul. As Muthulakshmi put it, the entire idea was born from ‘bridging the digital and the physical loom’, a phrase that neatly sums up how tradition and technology can move forward together instead of pulling in opposite directions.
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