India’s AI Ambition: From Digital Infrastructure to a ‘Global AI Commons’
India is poised to take a leading role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, not as a developer of foundational models like the US and China, but as a champion of accessible, development-focused AI applications. This week’s Global AI Impact Summit in New Delhi marks a pivotal moment for the nation to showcase its vision and forge international collaborations.
Democratizing AI Access for the Global South
Abhishek Singh, CEO of India’s AI Mission, emphasizes the country’s priority: “democratising AI access to the global south.” India aims to move beyond simply adopting AI and instead embed it within its existing digital public infrastructure – including identity, payments and data platforms – to deliver scalable and sustainable impact. This approach focuses on leveraging AI to improve service delivery, boost productivity, and address challenges in sectors like governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and urban systems.
The concept of a “global AI commons” is central to this strategy. Singh envisions a shared repository of AI use cases across key sectors, fostering interoperability and wider adoption. This contrasts with the current landscape where frontier AI development is largely concentrated in a few nations, and corporations.
Leveraging the ‘India Stack’ for Transformational Change
India’s success with the “India Stack” – a state-supervised platform for public services and online payments – provides a blueprint for this approach. The government has successfully linked hundreds of millions of citizens to digital services, a model that other countries are studying and adapting. This existing infrastructure provides a strong foundation for deploying AI-powered solutions at scale.
Navigating Challenges and Attracting Investment
Despite its ambitions, India faces challenges. Getting data from government departments and staffing the IndiaAI Mission are ongoing hurdles. Singh has addressed these by forging coalitions with private philanthropic partners like the Gates Foundation and the Wadhwani Foundation, and securing access to 35,000 GPUs from private sector partners.
The country is also actively seeking foreign investment in AI infrastructure. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have already committed to investing over $50 billion in AI initiatives within India.
A Shift in Focus: From IT Services to AI Innovation
Even as India boasts a robust IT industry – including companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Tata Consultancy Services – the government has urged the sector to prioritize product innovation. Currently, India is not a leader in developing large language models or directly profiting from the rollout of AI technology. But, the country is positioning itself as a prime location for data centers, capitalizing on the growing demand for AI infrastructure.
Regulation and Responsible AI
The Modi government has demonstrated a willingness to regulate technology, particularly concerning online harm. Recent actions, such as issuing a legal notice to X (formerly Twitter) over AI-generated content, signal a commitment to responsible AI development and deployment.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 AI Conference in New Delhi
India’s hosting of the Global AI Impact Summit builds on the momentum from previous international events, including the UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023 and France’s focus on tech investment. Singh is optimistic that India will have “a lot more to show” when it hosts the next major global AI conference in New Delhi in 2026.
FAQ: India and the Future of AI
- What is the ‘India Stack’? It’s a state-supervised platform for public services and online payments in India, linking citizens to digital infrastructure.
- What is the ‘global AI commons’? It’s a proposed repository of AI use cases across key sectors, intended to be shared internationally.
- What are India’s priorities for AI development? Improving service delivery, boosting productivity, and addressing challenges in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Did you know? Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2025.
Wish to learn more about India’s digital transformation? Explore our articles on digital public infrastructure and the future of technology in emerging markets.
