The episode highlighted India’s ambitious drive to become a global AI leader, fueled by massive investments, a strong talent pool, and a focus on open-source, locally relevant AI solutions. Key industry and government voices discussed the opportunities and challenges of this transformation, including energy demands, job impacts, and the need for responsible, inclusive AI development.
Broadcast live from New Delhi, this episode of “Insight with Haslinda Amin” focused on India’s rapidly growing ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI) and the ripple effects on its established IT sector. The program coincided with one of the world’s largest AI summits, drawing global tech leaders, policymakers, and industry giants to discuss India’s role in the evolving AI landscape. Key interviews included executives from Schneider Electric, ServiceNow, Fractal Analytics, Microsoft, and Google DeepMind, each offering perspectives on how AI is reshaping industries, economies, and the global talent pool.
A major theme was India’s strategic push to become a global AI powerhouse. Government officials, such as Tech Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted expectations of over $200 billion in tech investments within two years, with major commitments from firms like Qualcomm, Adani Group, and Anthropic. Industry leaders emphasized India’s strengths: a vast pool of engineers, a thriving startup ecosystem, and a growing focus on open-source AI models tailored to local languages and needs. The consensus was that India is well-positioned to move from being a consumer of AI to a developer and exporter of advanced AI solutions, especially for the Global South.
Energy demand and infrastructure emerged as critical challenges in the AI boom. Schneider Electric CEO Olivier Blum discussed the surging need for reliable, clean power to support data centers and digital transformation. He stressed that while renewable energy is expanding, efficiency and intelligent energy management—enabled by AI—are equally vital. India’s unique combination of digital infrastructure, government support, and engineering talent was cited as a catalyst for innovation, with the country poised to become a global hub for both R&D and manufacturing in the energy-tech sector.
The program also addressed the impact of AI on jobs, enterprise software, and global economic divides. ServiceNow’s leadership argued that AI will not decimate the software industry but will transform it, driving consolidation and rewarding companies that successfully integrate AI into their platforms. Microsoft President Brad Smith underscored the urgency of closing the AI access gap between the Global North and South, committing $50 billion to infrastructure and skills development. He and other guests noted that while some jobs will be automated, AI will also create new roles and opportunities, provided that workers are equipped with the right skills.
Finally, the summit highlighted the importance of responsible AI development and international cooperation. Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis and Alphabet’s James Manyika spoke about democratizing AI access, supporting local languages, and balancing bold innovation with robust safety measures. French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the summit, called for strategic partnerships between countries like India and France to ensure that AI development is both innovative and responsible. The event concluded with a sense of optimism about India’s potential to shape the future of AI, not just for itself but for emerging economies worldwide.