At the Nvidia AI Summit in Mumbai, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of IndiaAI, presented a transformative roadmap for the IndiaAI Mission, centered on making "AI in India, for India." His vision includes a seven-pillar framework to establish India as a leader in responsible AI, with priorities on infrastructure, data accessibility, AI skills, and safety.

A core objective is to leverage AI to enhance Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), with potential efficiency gains of 50-60%, making public services more accessible, Singh highlighted

AI in Digital Public Infrastructure

Singh emphasized how AI has the potential to make India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) significantly more efficient, estimating up to a 50-60% increase in effectiveness. By leveraging AI, India’s DPI will reach more citizens while lowering barriers to access, a foundational goal of the mission. Singh highlighted Project Bhashini as a key example, which aims to eliminate language and digital literacy barriers by enabling access to government services through voice commands in regional languages. It empowers millions of Indians to use services without needing advanced digital skills or access to specific platforms, furthering the government’s vision of inclusive, citizen-centred AI.

AI as a Driver of Economic Growth and Employment

India’s AI industry is poised for massive economic impact. Singh cited reports predicting that AI could contribute nearly a trillion dollars to India’s economy by 2035 and create five million jobs across various sectors. India already boasts at least seven AI unicorns that have emerged in recent years, demonstrating the strength of its innovation ecosystem. Singh underscored that AI-driven data insights are transforming decision-making processes and enabling the delivery of critical services to even the most remote parts of the country. Through AI, India is setting new digital inclusivity and economic expansion standards.

Leading Global AI Partnerships for Collaborative Development

India’s chairmanship of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) underscores its commitment to fostering global cooperation on AI. Singh highlighted the nation’s role in expanding GPAI’s reach from 29 to 44 member countries in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This initiative aims to democratize access to AI resources—including computational power, datasets, and algorithms—for researchers and entrepreneurs, particularly in the Global South. Through such efforts, India is working to shape global standards for responsible AI governance that balance positive innovation with safeguards against misuse.

Strengthening India’s AI Ecosystem: Talent, Data, and Innovation

India’s AI readiness is bolstered by three key strengths: a large talent pool, extensive data resources, and a thriving innovation ecosystem. Singh pointed to Stanford’s AI Index and NASSCOM reports, ranking India among the top countries globally in AI talent availability. The digital infrastructure projects launched over the past decade have amassed vast datasets, providing fertile ground for AI model development. Complementing this, India’s vibrant startup culture, fueled by robust investment interest, drives AI innovation.

Yet, Singh acknowledged the challenges ahead. Much of India’s data remains in formats that are not AI-compatible due to inconsistent standards and limited accessibility. The mission is therefore dedicated to improving data usability and accessibility, which will power AI applications tailored to Indian needs.

A Vision for a Future-Ready India

Singh concluded by expressing confidence in India’s AI journey, noting that India’s inherent advantages in talent, data, and innovation provide a strong foundation for leadership in the AI arena. However, he highlighted a crucial insight: AI’s transformative potential lies not in replacing jobs but in empowering those with AI skills to excel and innovate.

As India advances its AI journey, the IndiaAI Mission offers a blueprint for building a future-ready workforce and a sustainable, inclusive AI ecosystem. By investing in responsible AI development and fostering global partnerships, India is poised to make significant contributions to the field, bringing the benefits of AI to millions and positioning itself as a global leader in the responsible and ethical use of AI.

Source: NVIDIA AI Summit