March 13, 2025 • 9:00 am ET
India’s Journey Towards AI Independence
India’s Distinct AI Strategy: A Three-Pronged Approach
India is carving out its own niche in the global race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy. While the US and China are chiefly aiming for economic leverage and national security, India’s focus is on achieving AI autonomy by nurturing indigenous AI solutions that align closely with its developmental aspirations. This unique approach is encapsulated in a three-pillar strategy designed to establish India as a leading global AI player:
- Democratizing AI through Open Innovation: India is leading the charge in developing open-source models, like the Bhashini platform, which supports a multitude of Indian languages, and the iGOT Karmayogi platform designed for government employee training.
- Public-Sector-Driven Solutions: By focusing on AI applications to tackle urgent issues in healthcare, agriculture, and education, India aims to ensure that technology serves the broader society.
- Global Leadership in Sustainable AI: India’s vision extends to guiding AI initiatives that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a worldwide scale while promoting ethical AI governance and fostering international collaboration.
This strategy not only seeks to position India as an AI leader but also addresses pressing societal issues, aiming to enhance the lives of its diverse population exceeding 1.3 billion.
India’s commitment to AI autonomy transcends mere technological advancements; it embodies a narrative where innovative AI concepts drive inclusive growth. This philosophy is reflected in initiatives like the “India AI” mission, which champions ethical and development-oriented AI innovation.
The Landscape of AI in India: A Commitment to Innovation
The Indian AI ecosystem is dynamic, fueled by government policies, private-sector initiatives, and academic contributions. A significant rise in AI start-ups has been noted, with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) reporting over 1,600 AI-focused companies in 2023, showcasing India’s technological capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit.
Core government initiatives such as the India AI mission, launched in 2023, are integral to fostering innovation across various sectors. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), it aims to utilize AI to tackle societal challenges in healthcare, education, and more while advocating for responsible and ethical AI and inclusivity.
Uniquely, India’s AI strategy emphasizes social good. The Responsible AI for Social Empowerment (RAISE) initiative, organized by the government in 2020, showcases commitment to ethical AI long before the current surge in interest, aligning with the National Development Agenda 2030.
Promoting Open Innovation in AI
India is making strides toward democratizing AI through open-source development, encouraging collaboration and inclusivity. Open-source frameworks based on collaborative innovation offer transparency, interoperability, and scalability—qualities vital for India’s diverse landscape.
To exemplify this vision, the Bhashini initiative transforms natural language processing by supporting twenty-two official languages and numerous dialects, making such resources accessible to developers and start-ups. The iGOT Karmayogi platform is another instance of leveraging open-source AI to enhance digital literacy across government sectors.
Indian academic institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras contribute substantially to open-source AI, with ongoing research in areas such as healthcare and environmental monitoring.
For Indian start-ups, adopting open-source AI models brings multiple advantages, including cost-effectiveness, customization flexibility, and enhanced data security, allowing for locally tailored solutions while protecting sensitive data.
Leveraging the Public Sector for Unique Challenges
India’s substantial socioeconomic hurdles have shaped its AI approach significantly. The healthcare system, for example, is heavily concentrated in urban areas, accommodating only 30 percent of the population, while educational disparities persist, and agricultural inefficiencies abound.
Faced with these challenges, India’s development-oriented AI vision offers innovative solutions. The eSanjeevani platform, India’s telemedicine initiative, has transformed healthcare access with over one hundred million teleconsultations, bridging urban-rural healthcare gaps. AI applications are also revolutionizing agriculture through platforms that provide personalized advice to farmers, enhancing productivity and precision.
Education has not been overlooked, with collaborations between state governments and companies like Embibe, which use AI to target learning gaps and enhance access to education. India’s efforts have cultivated a sizable AI-skilled workforce, positioning the country as a robust player in the global talent market.
India’s unique model, where public-sector initiatives steer AI developments, sets a precedent. Unlike many developed nations, the Indian government actively ensures that AI technology is harnessed to address fundamental challenges, showing how technology can drive widespread development grounded in public policy.
Shaping the Future: India’s Role in Global AI Leadership
With proactive government measures and collaborative efforts, India is solidifying its place in global AI leadership. As a founding member of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), India’s presidency in 2024 has spotlighted priorities such as democratizing AI access, bridging societal gaps, and fostering responsible AI development.
AI plays a pivotal role in India’s ambition to attain all seventeen SDGs by 2030. The country aims not only to lead in AI research and application but also to create a more sustainable global landscape. This strategy underscores a commitment to balancing technological independence with inclusive development, focusing on socio-economic priorities.
However, challenges persist, including the need for advanced AI infrastructure, accessible tools, and frameworks to ensure data privacy. Tackling these issues calls for cooperative efforts among the government, industry leaders, and academia.
As India continues its journey in AI, its experiences provide critical insights on leveraging AI to drive socio-economic advancements, potentially guiding other developing nations in harnessing AI for inclusive growth.
About the Authors
Mohamed “Mo” Elbashir serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center and is also Meta Platforms’ global infrastructure risk and enablement manager. With over twenty years of experience in global technology governance, he specializes in regulatory frameworks and public policy.
Kishore Balaji Desikachari is the executive director for government affairs at IBM India/South Asia. He possesses over thirty years of leadership experience in major tech firms, emerging as a recognized policy commentator on AI and related subjects.
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