During a recent convocation at the Indian Institute of Information Technology in Kottayam, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India's pivotal role in shaping artificial intelligence (AI) governance.

Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India is experiencing a significant transformation in AI, with efforts focused on creating an inclusive AI ecosystem.

The government has established three AI Centres of Excellence focused on Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities, with plans for an additional center for AI in education.

IIIT Kottayam is emerging as a key player in research and entrepreneurship, boasting three incubation centers and over 400 published research papers.

India ranks first globally in AI skill penetration, with a remarkable 263% growth in AI talent since 2016, showcasing its position as a leader in the field.

India's GPU marketplace has opened, providing small startups and researchers access to high-performance computing resources at competitive rates.

India's Global Innovation Index ranking has improved dramatically, moving from 81st in 2015 to 39th in 2024, reflecting advancements in innovation and patenting.

The Indian government has launched the ₹10,300 crore India AI Mission, aimed at building AI computing infrastructure, enhancing indigenous capabilities, attracting global talent, and supporting startups.

The AI industry in India is projected to reach USD 28.8 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%, and the demand for AI professionals is expected to reach 1 million by 2026.

India is advancing its own foundational AI models, including initiatives like BharatGen for multimodal AI and Digital India BHASHINI for language translation.

Sitharaman emphasized that India is not only discussing AI but actively developing practical applications that drive innovation and economic progress.

As India advances its AI capabilities, privacy, data security, and ethical standards are being prioritized, reflecting the success of its digital public infrastructure initiatives.