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As India aspires to position as a global AI superpower by 2047, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized on the crucial role of academia has to play in terms to meet this aspiration and drive technological advancements. While speaking at the Dataquest Digital Leadership Conclave 2025, he outlined the expectations from educational institutions and researchers in shaping India's AI journey.
During the special discussion titled “Can India be an AI Superpower by 2047?”, Vaishnaw engaged with Prof. S. Sadagopan, Dr. Sridhar Mitta, Raman Roy, Vinod Dham and Pradeep Gupta, stressing on the need for deeper collaboration between academia and industry.
Bridging the Gap: Academia’s Role in India’s AI Growth
Vaishnaw acknowledged that research and innovation within Indian universities have reached the cutting edge, producing groundbreaking work. However, he asserted that scaling these efforts significantly is imperative to truly compete on a global stage. He cited successful industry-academia collaborations in telecom and semiconductors, urging similar initiatives in AI.
“Academia plays a very important role in our journey to being among the top five technology nations. The research happening across the country is at the cutting edge, but we need to scale it significantly.”
Vaishnaw highlighted India’s 5G ecosystem development as a model for AI growth. The government had previously set up 1,050 telecom labs across universities, providing students with real-world experience in 5G technology. This hands-on exposure allowed students, professors, and researchers to work directly on real-life technological challenges, fostering innovation at an early stage.
Encouraged by this success, he announced a similar initiative for AI, involving the establishment of 200 AI labs in leading universities. The first 25 AI labs are already in progress, but he admitted that this number is not sufficient to meet the scale of India’s AI ambitions.
"We are setting up about 25 AI labs, but that number is not going to be enough. We need to establish at least 200 of these to truly prepare our students for the AI-driven future."
AI-Driven Infrastructure in Universities
Vaishnaw also pointed out India’s Semiconductor Mission as another example of government-backed academic support. He mentioned that 240 universities have already received access to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, including the latest solutions from Cadence, Siemens, and Synopsys.
“We have equipped 240 universities with cutting-edge EDA tools so that students can work on what’s actually relevant to the industry. The same model now needs to be applied to AI.”
This effort ensures that students graduate with real-world experience, making them industry-ready from day one. Vaishnaw called for greater involvement from professors and research mentors, urging them to guide students toward solving real-life industry challenges rather than limiting them to theoretical coursework.
"If professors can guide students on solving real-world challenges, it will prepare them for industry expectations. We need stronger industry-academia interaction.”
India’s AI Vision: Scaling Research and Talent
To further accelerate AI research and innovation, Vaishnaw underscored the importance of academic institutions acting as catalysts for talent development. He pointed out that global technology leaders such as Microsoft and IBM have already launched AI training programs, such as Microsoft’s plan to train 10 million Indians in AI over the next five years.
While corporate efforts are valuable, he stressed that India’s universities must take a leadership role in developing the country’s AI expertise. To do this, he urged universities to take greater ownership of AI research and its practical applications, ensuring that students don’t just learn theory, but also actively develop AI solutions for real-world challenges.
"AI education should be more than theoretical coursework—it must focus on solving actual industry problems. Professors and researchers must guide students towards applied AI research.”
Academia’s Commitment: Rising to the Challenge
In response to Vaishnaw’s remarks, Prof. S. Sadagopan assured the minister that India’s academic institutions will not let him down, reaffirming their commitment to AI research and talent development. The conversation underscored a shared vision between academia and government in making India a global AI leader.
The discussion set the tone for future AI initiatives, where India will scale its AI research, expand academic collaborations, and equip students with the knowledge and tools to lead the next wave of technological transformation. With the establishment of AI labs in universities, greater industry engagement, and access to cutting-edge technology, India is taking bold steps toward its AI superpower vision.