AI impetus: India must make the most of Google hub

INDIA’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) has received a major fillip. Tech powerhouse Google has announced an investment of $15 billion over the next five years to establish a one gigawatt-scale AI hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This will be the company’s largest AI hub outside the US. The decision underlines India’s importance in Google’s global scheme of things. Acknowledging that the country is witnessing a digital transformation “unparalleled in pace and scale”, Google has said that it wants to work with the Indian government and industry leaders to realise the vision of an AI-first nation.This promising chapter in India-US tech cooperation is unfolding amid resumption of talks to put the much-delayed trade deal back on track. Punitive tariffs and H-1B visa curbs imposed by US President Donald Trump have soured Delhi-Washington ties, but the initiative to build an AI hub shows that there is still some common ground. The US, which leads the global AI innovation race, can contribute immensely to India’s fast-growing digital economy.There is no doubt that AI is proving to be the most transformative technology of this century. India cannot afford to remain behind the curve. It must harness this awe-inspiring force so that the benefits of AI reach the last mile. What’s needed is a robust ecosystem that accelerates AI-driven solutions for myriad sectors — healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, transport, etc. There should be no compromise on the development of AI that prioritises accountability, affordability and accessibility. A big task for India is to ensure that techno-legal safeguards don’t stifle innovation and growth. The country has so far steered clear of overregulation, but the three-pronged menace of deepfakes, privacy risks and cybersecurity threats will require effective, long-term solutions. At the same time, it is imperative to engage pragmatically with Google, which is grappling with several antitrust challenges in India.

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