'Models are getting refined on our data': Amitabh Kant says AI will be sold to Global South at a very high cost

During the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Amitabh Kant, the former G20 sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, raised concerns over the commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies developed using data from the Global South. He pointed out that major American companies are leveraging this data to refine their AI models, which they then sell back to the very countries that provided the data, often at exorbitant prices. Kant emphasized the necessity for countries in the Global South, including India, to create their own AI systems based on local data. He noted that India contributes significantly more data than the United States, specifically citing that it provides 33% more data than its American counterparts. This data is crucial for developing large language models that become increasingly sophisticated. "These models are being honed with our data, and tomorrow, they will sell us products at high prices," Kant warned. He also highlighted the success of India's digital public infrastructure, which he claims has propelled the nation forward by decades in just seven years. This rapid progress, he explained, is largely due to the open-source nature of the infrastructure, its global interoperability, and the ability to perform essential services like fast payments and stock market transactions. Kant stressed the importance of ensuring that AI technologies benefit all segments of the population, particularly those living below the poverty line. He believes that AI should be utilized to enhance educational outcomes and address nutritional challenges, thereby transforming the lives of citizens in the Global South. Kant's vision is clear: AI should not just be a tool for profit but a means to uplift entire communities.