"Can India Emerge as a Global AI Superpower by 2047?" Experts Weigh In

As India accelerates its journey towards AI dominance, a high-profile panel at the Dataquest Digital Leadership Conclave 2025 convened to discuss the nation’s roadmap to becoming an AI superpower by 2047. The discussion featured Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Prof. S. Sadagopan, Founder Director, IIIT-Bangalore, Dr. Sridhar Mitta, Founder & MD, NextWealth Entrepreneurs, Raman Roy, Jury Chair and Chairman of Quatrro BPO Solutions, and was moderated by Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, CyberMedia Group.

The session addressed critical aspects of India’s AI growth, including talent development, democratization of AI, the startup ecosystem, GPU access, and the timeline for India’s first indigenous AI chip, bridging the Talent Gap and  empowering universities with AI tools.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw opened the discussion by stressing the importance of industry-academia collaboration in preparing the next generation for AI-driven industries. He announced that 240 universities across India are being equipped with AI and semiconductor design tools from leading global players like Synopsys and Cadence. However, he emphasized that this is only the beginning, and called on academia to scale such initiatives across hundreds more institutions to ensure students graduate with hands-on experience relevant to industry needs.

"Students must gain real-world experience in cutting-edge technology before they leave college. Academia should engage deeply with industry problems to create a workforce ready for AI’s demands."

Prof. Sadagopan echoed this sentiment, stating that democratizing AI education is key to creating a large pool of AI professionals across India, not just in metro cities. He pointed out that leading tech firms like IBM and Microsoft are stepping up to train 10 million Indians in AI over the next five years.

Decentralizing AI: Taking Opportunities to Small-Town India

Dr. Sridhar Mitta, a pioneer in India’s IT industry, stressed the need to extend AI employment opportunities beyond metro cities. He explained that NextWealth’s distributed delivery model is already employing graduates from smaller towns, upskilling them in AI-related jobs.

"India’s AI growth must be inclusive. We need to train talent in smaller cities, ensuring they have access to the same opportunities as those in metros. AI should not be confined to elite institutions but be accessible to all."

This focus on AI democratization aligns with India’s broader vision of bridging the digital divide and ensuring AI-powered progress is felt across the country.

Startups: The Backbone of India’s AI Mission

Raman Roy, widely regarded as the father of India’s BPO industry, highlighted the critical role of startups in shaping India’s AI future. He noted that large enterprises may build AI infrastructure, but startups will be the ones to drive innovation.

"Democratization of AI will truly happen when startups, not just big corporations, can leverage AI tools and computing power to build groundbreaking solutions."

Roy pointed out that AI-driven startups in India face challenges such as limited access to GPUs and computing resources, which hinders their ability to train and deploy AI models at scale. He called for a greater push to equip startups with the tools they need to compete globally.

Government’s AI Mission and GPU Breakthrough

In response to concerns about AI startups lacking computing resources, Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a major milestone in India’s AI journey—the government’s AI Mission, approved in March 2024, had set a goal to develop 10,000 GPUs, a target that has already been exceeded with 14,000 GPUs now available for researchers, startups, and students.

"We took a bold target of 10,000 GPUs, and today we have surpassed it. This initiative ensures that AI startups and researchers no longer struggle for computing power, making AI innovation in India more accessible than ever."

He further added that, due to India’s structured AI compute strategy, the cost of AI computing in India is significantly lower than global prices. While globally, AI computing costs around $2.5–3 per unit, India’s government-backed AI infrastructure has brought costs down to ₹67 per GPU, making AI more affordable and accessible.

This approach, according to Vaishnaw, mirrors India’s success with the UPI platform, where public funds were used to create a robust digital payments system that startups and businesses could build upon.

India’s First Indigenous AI Chip: A Four-Year Timeline

One of the most groundbreaking revelations from the session was India’s roadmap to develop its own AI chip. Vaishnaw stated that within the next four years, India will produce its first indigenous AI GPU, a move that will drastically reduce dependency on global chipmakers.

"In just four years, India will have its own AI chip, built entirely in-house. This is a defining moment in our journey to becoming an AI superpower."

This announcement reinforces India’s semiconductor ambitions, aligning with the country’s ongoing efforts to establish semiconductor fabrication plants and scale up chip manufacturing.

A Faster Path to AI Superpower Status?

While the session’s theme centered on India’s AI leadership by 2047, Raman Roy suggested that the rapid pace of AI advancements could accelerate this timeline.

"Given the speed at which AI is evolving, should we even wait until 2047? With the right strategy and execution, India could establish itself as a global AI leader much sooner."

Ashwini Vaishnaw concurred, pointing out that the AI industry’s current trajectory is outpacing Moore’s Law.

"Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what once took years is now happening in months. AI’s impact is growing exponentially, and India must move swiftly to seize this opportunity."

The Road Ahead

The special discussion at the Dataquest Digital Leadership Conclave 2025 offered a clear vision of India’s AI roadmap—one that emphasizes inclusivity, democratization, and self-reliance. Key takeaways include:

• Expanding AI education across universities, ensuring students gain hands-on experience with industry-relevant tools.
• Decentralizing AI jobs, creating opportunities in small towns and rural areas.
• Empowering startups with AI infrastructure to drive grassroots innovation.
• Surpassing the GPU target, making AI computing power more affordable and accessible.
• India’s first indigenous AI chip, expected within the next four years.

With these strategic interventions, India is positioning itself to lead the global AI revolution—not by 2047, but potentially much sooner.

As the session concluded, the overwhelming sentiment was one of optimism, ambition, and confidence a belief that India is well on its way to defining the future of AI on the global stage.