Amitabh Kant Calls for Sovereign AI Models in India

Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, emphasized the importance of democratizing AI and developing sovereign AI models to prevent India from becoming reliant on the US and China. Speaking at the launch of the 'State of India's Digital Economy (SIDE 2025)' report, he noted that while the US and China dominate AI venture capital investments, India is focusing on innovative sectors like DeepTech to enhance its AI landscape. Concurrently, concerns are rising over the Biden administration's interim AI Diffusion Rule, which could limit the export of American AI technology and inadvertently benefit China's AI ambitions, reminiscent of past challenges in the 5G sector. The report indicates India's digital economy remains robust despite its current ranking in VC investments, suggesting a resurgence in tech funding. This backdrop highlights a high-stakes race among nations to establish technological leadership in the burgeoning AI economy, with potential implications for global power dynamics. Kant's remarks reflect a broader sentiment that India must carve its own path in AI development.