The Indian Express · 28 Sep, 09:56 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

In great powers’ AI race, New Delhi’s place will depend on capabilities built at home

Recent reporting indicates that India’s position in the global artificial intelligence race hinges significantly on its capacity to develop indigenous technical capabilities.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent reporting indicates that India’s position in the global artificial intelligence race hinges significantly on its capacity to develop indigenous technical capabilities. Rather than relying solely on imported technologies, New Delhi must foster domestic expertise and infrastructure. This shift underscores the strategic importance of local innovation ecosystems. For professionals, it highlights a growing demand for homegrown AI talent and solutions. The narrative suggests that national competitiveness will be directly linked to the depth and breadth of skills cultivated within the country’s educational and industrial sectors.

Employer demand for Artificial Intelligence skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must prioritise building deep, localised technical expertise to thrive in this evolving landscape. As India focuses on domestic capability, roles requiring advanced algorithmic understanding and indigenous solution design will surge in value. You should move beyond generic AI literacy to master specific implementation contexts relevant to Indian markets. Upskill in core data handling and model development to become indispensable. Network with local tech hubs and government initiatives to align your career with national priorities. Proactively seek projects that demonstrate your ability to build, rather than just consume, AI technologies. This strategic positioning ensures you remain competitive as the sector shifts towards self-reliance.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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