Nandan Nilekani: India Can Lead AI Revolution

Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, believes India is well-positioned to lead the next phase of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Speaking at the NCAER India Policy Forum 2026, Nilekani said India can emerge as the world's 'AI use-case capital' by deploying AI solutions at a large scale across various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.

Nilekani emphasized that India should focus on practical applications of AI rather than competing in the global race for advanced chips and large language models. He noted that Western countries are largely focused on AI infrastructure, including bigger models, more computing power, and data centers. However, Nilekani believes that such infrastructure will eventually become a commodity, and the greater value will shift towards the application layer, where India has a significant advantage.

The success of India's digital public infrastructure (DPI) is a model for AI adoption, according to Nilekani. He stressed that technology should be designed to benefit citizens at a massive scale rather than only serving businesses. Nilekani also highlighted the importance of building AI systems around local requirements, including Indian languages and voice-based interactions.

Nilekani argued that AI should focus on solving everyday challenges, such as improving agricultural productivity, strengthening healthcare services, and enhancing education outcomes. He also discussed the impact of AI on jobs, suggesting that employment opportunities in the AI era may emerge from millions of small enterprises rather than large corporations.

Large companies with highly structured workflows could face greater automation risks, while smaller businesses often involve employees handling multiple responsibilities, making them more adaptable to AI adoption. Nilekani suggested that future employment could come from 'a million companies employing one person each' rather than a few large companies hiring millions.

India's AI opportunity lies in applications and accessibility, according to Nilekani. By focusing on practical applications and deploying AI solutions at a large scale, India can become a leader in the AI revolution. This approach can help solve everyday challenges and create new employment opportunities in the AI era.

The Indian government has also been actively promoting the adoption of AI in various sectors. The government's initiatives, such as the National AI Strategy, aim to make India a global leader in AI. With its large population, diverse economy, and growing tech industry, India has the potential to become a major player in the AI revolution.

In conclusion, Nandan Nilekani's vision for India's AI future is one of practical applications and accessibility. By focusing on solving everyday challenges and deploying AI solutions at a large scale, India can become the world's 'AI use-case capital' and create new employment opportunities in the AI era.

The significance of this development for India cannot be overstated. As AI continues to transform industries and economies around the world, India's ability to lead the AI revolution can have a major impact on its economic growth and development. With its large population and growing tech industry, India has the potential to become a major player in the global AI market, and Nilekani's vision provides a roadmap for achieving this goal.