Davos 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw says India 'clearly in the first group' of AI powers

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ashwini Vaishnaw, India's Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, confidently disputed global assessments regarding India's role in artificial intelligence. He emphasized that India is not merely participating in the AI sector but is emerging as a significant leader. Vaishnaw criticized rankings that place India in a 'second grouping,' asserting instead that the country is firmly in the first echelon of AI powers. He explained that India's strategy encompasses all five critical layers of AI architecture: application, model, chip, infrastructure, and energy. 'We are making notable strides in each of these areas,' he stated, adding that India is on track to become a leading global provider of AI services. Referencing evaluations from Stanford University, Vaishnaw pointed out that India ranks third worldwide in terms of AI penetration, preparedness, and talent. He laid out a comprehensive multi-layered strategy aimed at achieving technological sovereignty through the government's IndiaAI initiative, which focuses on five essential pillars, including high-performance computing, foundational models, application software, data centers, and a robust talent pool. Addressing concerns about GPU availability, Vaishnaw announced a public-private partnership initiative that has made 38,000 GPUs accessible as a shared computational resource for all. This move aims to democratize technology and enhance AI skills training for over a million individuals, ensuring the benefits of the AI revolution are equitably distributed across the nation.