From expanding access to computing power and datasets to deploying AI in agriculture, healthcare and governance, India positions inclusive artificial intelligence as central to its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and global cooperation efforts.
Artificial Intelligence is fast becoming a cornerstone of India’s development agenda, with policymakers positioning it alongside electricity, the internet and mobile technology as a transformative force. The focus is not merely on innovation, but on ensuring AI delivers measurable benefits across governance, agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing and climate action.
At the heart of this strategy lies the idea of “democratising AI” — making core resources such as computing infrastructure, datasets and foundational models widely accessible. The approach seeks to empower startups, researchers, public institutions and innovators across regions, aligning technological progress with the long-term goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is expected to spotlight this inclusive model. As the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South, it will convene policymakers, technology leaders and experts to deliberate on AI governance and equitable growth.
From applications to infrastructure
India’s AI push extends beyond pilot projects to large-scale public deployment. In agriculture, AI-driven platforms are helping farmers anticipate weather shifts, detect pests and optimise crop cycles. In healthcare, machine learning tools support diagnostics and telemedicine, especially in underserved regions. Language platform Bhashini is expanding multilingual access to digital services, while the India Meteorological Department is integrating AI into weather forecasting and disaster preparedness.
On the infrastructure front, the ₹10,371.92 crore IndiaAI Mission, approved in 2024, is widening access to high-end computing and promoting responsible AI development. Through AIKosh, a national repository, thousands of datasets and AI models are being made available for research and innovation. India has also onboarded tens of thousands of GPUs at subsidised rates to lower entry barriers for developers.
Parallel investments in semiconductor manufacturing, data centres and nationwide 5G connectivity are reinforcing this ecosystem. Education and skilling initiatives — from school-level programmes to advanced research fellowships — aim to prepare a future-ready workforce.
With global cooperation high on the agenda, India’s model underscores affordability, openness and scale as key pillars in ensuring AI serves as a tool for inclusive and sustainable development.
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