Former NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant has emphasised the need for India to develop its own artificial intelligence systems rather than relying primarily on global platforms. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Kant highlighted India’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem.
During his address, Kant referred to the widespread use of large language models such as ChatGPT developed by OpenAI. He noted that India contributes a significant volume of user generated data to global AI systems. According to his remarks, data from the Global South, including India, plays a crucial role in improving the performance and training of these models.
Kant stated that India provides a substantial amount of data input to such platforms, arguing that these contributions should lead to proportional technological and economic benefits for the country. He stressed that India has the capacity to build strong indigenous AI models supported by its expanding digital infrastructure, public technology platforms and skilled workforce.
India has developed several large scale digital public goods in recent years, including digital identity systems, payment platforms and data governance frameworks. Experts suggest that these systems provide a foundation for training AI models tailored to local languages, governance needs and industry applications.
Kant’s comments come amid global discussions about technological self reliance and digital sovereignty. Many countries are examining how to ensure that their data resources and technological contributions generate domestic value rather than being solely leveraged by international corporations.
He emphasised that building domestic AI capabilities would not only strengthen India’s technological independence but also help address region specific challenges in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education and public service delivery. Indigenous AI systems could be designed to support Indian languages and cultural contexts more effectively.
Industry analysts note that while global AI tools offer advanced capabilities, the long term strategy for emerging economies may require balanced engagement with international platforms alongside domestic innovation. Investment in research and development, semiconductor manufacturing and data infrastructure will play a critical role in achieving this objective.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in the country. Key themes included ethical AI development, data governance, innovation funding and collaboration between public and private sectors.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and governance structures worldwide, India’s policy direction will likely focus on combining global collaboration with strong domestic capability building. Kant’s remarks underscore the importance of ensuring that India’s digital contributions translate into meaningful economic and technological advancement.
