India stands at a critical juncture in the global AI race. With 15 per cent of the world’s AI talent, a vibrant start-up ecosystem, and increasing investments from major tech companies, the country has all the ingredients to become an AI powerhouse. Yet, despite these advantages, India is struggling to keep pace with global leaders like the US and China. The absence of a home-grown foundational AI model, limited research infrastructure, and inadequate government funding raise pressing concerns about India’s ability to lead in the AI revolution. While the government has promised rapid development of an indigenous AI model, the challenges are immense.

Countries like the US and China have spent years building robust AI ecosystems, investing heavily in research, academia, and military applications. The US has committed an astronomical $500 billion to AI infrastructure, while China has set aside $137 billion to establish itself as a global AI hub. In stark contrast, India’s AI........

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