India’s rise as a global artificial intelligence power must be rooted in indigenous capability and ethical governance to ensure technology serves the larger public good, experts said at a discussion in Delhi on Wednesday.
The session took place as part of a book discussion series hosted by Bharat Ki Soch, a city-based think tank, focusing on how ancient Indian wisdom, particularly the Arthashastra, provides a robust framework for navigating the modern geopolitical challenges posed by AI, according to a statement. Experts said India’s leadership in the digital era cannot be measured by speed alone, reiterating that technological advancement must align with a broader vision of public welfare. “India has been called upon to become one of the top AI powers globally, but this leadership must be grounded in a vision where technology serves the larger good, not just efficiency,” R K Pachnanda, director, Bharat Ki Soch, said.
Experts also argued that India’s push towards AI develo pment shows a deeper civilisational emphasis on self-reliance, adding that dependence on foreign entities for core elements such as data, compute, and algorithms could constrain strategic autonomy.
