India Signals First-League AI Ambitions at Davos
Artificial intelligence dominated conversations at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year, with global leaders debating not only technological advances but also who will shape the future of AI-driven economies. Amid these discussions, India made a clear and confident assertion: it sees itself among the world’s leading AI nations, not on the periphery of the global AI race.
India’s position at Davos reflected a broader shift in how the country views artificial intelligence—not as a niche technology confined to research labs or elite corporations, but as a foundational tool for economic growth, productivity, and inclusive development. The emphasis was on depth, diffusion, and real-world impact rather than headline-grabbing scale.
A Full-Stack Approach to Artificial Intelligence
India’s AI strategy is built around a comprehensive framework that spans the entire AI value chain. This includes applications, foundational and mid-sized models, semiconductor and chip development, digital infrastructure, and the energy systems required to support compute-intensive workloads.
Rather than concentrating on a single layer, India is investing across the full stack. This approach recognises that sustainable leadership in AI depends not only on innovation but also on accessibility, affordability, and integration into everyday economic activity.
At the application level, India’s long-established strengths in software services and enterprise technology give it a natural advantage. As global businesses increasingly seek AI solutions that can be tailored to specific operational needs, India is positioning itself as a major provider of AI-enabled services across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and governance.
Shifting the AI Conversation from Scale to Value
A notable theme emerging from India’s engagement at Davos was a redefinition of what constitutes AI leadership. Instead of equating dominance with the size of models or the volume of compute power, India’s narrative focused on economic outcomes.
Most practical AI applications, particularly at the enterprise and public-sector level, do not require ultra-large models. Mid-sized, efficient models can address the majority of real-world use cases while consuming far fewer resources. This makes AI adoption more viable, scalable, and cost-effective—especially for developing and emerging economies.
By prioritising deployment and productivity gains, India is aligning AI growth with measurable returns on investment. This value-driven approach also reduces the financial and environmental pressures associated with maintaining massive AI systems.
Democratising Compute and Reducing Dependence
Access to computing power remains one of the biggest barriers to AI innovation worldwide. India has acknowledged this constraint and responded with a shared compute model that blends public support with private-sector participation.
By creating a national pool of subsidised computing resources, India aims to ensure that startups, students, researchers, and small enterprises are not excluded from AI development due to high costs. This model encourages experimentation, speeds up innovation, and helps prevent the concentration of AI capabilities in the hands of a few large players.
At the same time, India is embracing a more diversified hardware ecosystem. The growing role of CPUs, smaller models, and custom silicon is gradually reducing reliance on a narrow set of high-end components, making AI infrastructure more resilient and globally distributed.
Preparing to Shape the Global AI Agenda
India’s assertive presence at Davos comes just weeks before it hosts an international AI summit in New Delhi. The event is expected to highlight India’s approach to responsible and inclusive AI, with a focus on governance, talent development, and large-scale adoption.
The summit is likely to reinforce India’s belief that AI should serve as a tool for broad-based progress rather than deepening global inequalities. By prioritising affordability, accessibility, and ethical deployment, India is positioning itself as a bridge between advanced AI economies and the wider developing world.
Redefining What AI Leadership Looks Like
India’s message at Davos was not about competing head-on with established AI superpowers on their terms. Instead, it was about redefining the metrics of leadership. Talent depth, widespread adoption, practical applications, and economic impact are emerging as equally important markers of success.
As global conversations around AI increasingly shift toward sustainability, governance, and societal value, India’s approach resonates with a growing consensus: the future of artificial intelligence will not be decided solely by who builds the biggest systems, but by who can deploy AI at scale, responsibly, and for real economic benefit.
In that evolving landscape, India is making it clear that it intends to be not just a participant, but a shaper of the global AI narrative.