Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world, reshaping industries, governance, and even social interactions. Its potential is limitless, making it a key driver of the global digital economy. While India has long been a leader in information technology, earning billions in software exports, its progress in AI has been underwhelming. Despite a decades-old engagement with technology, India has yet to emerge as a global player in AI innovation. The situation contrasts sharply with developments elsewhere. After Donald Trump assumed his second term as US President, he announced a $500 billion private sector-driven investment in AI to secure America’s technological dominance. In response, a Chinese startup, DeepSeek, rapidly entered the market, offering services that made it the most downloaded app on Apple’s store. DeepSeek, despite its ideological alignment with the Chinese Communist Party, quickly became a formidable competitor to platforms like ChatGPT.

One of the primary hurdles in AI development is the enormous investment it demands. However, DeepSeek’s success reportedly came at a fraction of the cost incurred by European AI ventures, suggesting that innovation on a budget is possible. This provides hope for emerging economies like India to carve out their space in the AI landscape. India’s slow progress in AI is partly due to the absence of a cohesive national policy. Recognising this gap, the country’s decision to collaborate with France in........

© Free Press Journal