India is steadily strengthening its position in the global artificial intelligence landscape, but a United Nations scientific panel has said that key gaps in infrastructure, skilled talent and AI governance must be addressed to fully realise the country’s AI potential.
The report recognises India’s expanding digital ecosystem, growing AI talent pool and rapid adoption of digital technologies as major advantages. These strengths position India as an emerging force in the global AI economy. However, the panel cautioned that long-term growth will depend on developing stronger domestic AI capabilities instead of relying heavily on foreign AI infrastructure.
According to the report, countries that depend on external AI models, cloud platforms and data infrastructure may benefit from faster AI adoption but risk losing control over how these technologies are developed, governed and aligned with national priorities. The panel said achieving AI sovereignty requires greater investment in local computing infrastructure, skilled professionals and effective governance frameworks.
The report also identified several priority areas for improvement, including expanding high-performance computing capacity, strengthening AI research, enhancing regulatory preparedness and implementing stronger AI safety and risk management measures. It noted that governance frameworks must evolve alongside the rapid pace of AI development to ensure responsible and secure adoption.
In addition, the panel stressed the need to improve access to AI education, encourage local innovation and introduce policies that reduce inequalities in AI adoption. It warned that shortcomings in infrastructure, internet access, language support and computing resources could widen the digital divide if not addressed.
The findings come as India continues to invest in digital public infrastructure, AI innovation and talent development. While the country has the potential to become a global AI leader, the report emphasised that sustained investments in infrastructure, governance, safety and workforce development will be essential for inclusive, secure and responsible AI growth.
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