‘India Firmly On Its Way To Become A Global AI Powerhouse’
Akash Kushwaha, an AI enthusiast and a software developer based in Bangalore, says that India is poised to become a data centre hub. His views:
Indian youth are not merely passive consumers but are taking ownership of Artificial Intelligence, actively participating in skill development programs and developing new AI tools. From the initial days of scepticism, AI is now increasingly being viewed as a “force-multiplier” that will enhance productivity and create new, higher-value, and creative roles, rather than just eating up jobs.
Youngsters are being urged to focus on building practical, actionable AI skills in fields such as gaming, animation, and content creation rather than attaining just theoretical know-how. Young innovators are focusing on applying AI tools to solve real-world problems in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education.
And as far as the stats reflect, AI is the next thing that is happening. Professionals working in organizations with advanced AI integration show higher optimism (71% are enthusiastic) compared to those in low-adoption workplaces. There is also a strong consensus on the need for continuous learning, with 57% of Indian professionals receiving employer-provided AI training and are focusing on moving from generative AI (e.g., creating text) to agentic AI (systems that take action).
Reports in the media and various 2025-26 industry reports reveal a complex, dual-natured perspective among India’s youth and professionals – While there is high confidence in AI’s potential to drive innovation, significant anxiety persists regarding job security and the need for constant adaptation. The recently held AI summit in India has transitioned from discussion to deployment – with over $90 billion in investments already committed and a target of $200 billion by 2030. India is projected to grow its capacity fivefold, from 1.5 GW in 2025 to 8-10 GW by 2030.
India is considered to be the world’s Number 3 AI power, after the US and China and we are playing across the stack – data centres, models, and its application in fintech, healthcare, logistics, real estate, governance and many more sectors. However, what we require is a level playing field. In 2024, the US pulled in about 100 times more private funding in AI than India, and over the last decade, it has raised roughly 40-50 times more in total. Also, the infrastructure, though growing, is way behind.
I fully agree with the words of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who put it all in the simplest terms: “We need AI to be democratic for all, especially the Global South. AI is making machines intelligent, but more than that, it is increasing human capabilities manifold. There is only one difference: this time the speed is unprecedented and the scale is also unexpected.”
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a technological advancement; it has become a structural force shaping economies, national security, and global influence. The summit hosted by India is not simply about innovation or startups. It represents something deeper – India’s attempt to define its place in a world increasingly organised around AI power.
As told to Rajat Rai
