IndiaAI And The Strategic Transformation Of Geopolitical Influence

Artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of global power, shifting influence from traditional economic and industrial might to the domain of intelligence itself. Unlike past transitions—from land to industry, finance, and information—AI places the ability to harness knowledge, data, and decision-making at the forefront of geopolitical competition. For India, this shift offers a unique opportunity. Its democratic institutions, diverse population, and experience in scaling technology under real-world constraints position it to contribute meaningfully to AI that serves public purpose while navigating the complex balance between development, inclusion, and safety.

The Three Global Approaches To AI

Around the world, three dominant approaches to artificial intelligence are taking shape, each with distinct advantages and inherent risks. The United States model prioritises rapid innovation and private capital, allowing speed and platform dominance but concentrating decision-making within a few corporate entities. In contrast, China’s approach is heavily state-directed, enabling large-scale coordination and infrastructure efficiency, though potentially at the expense of personal liberty. A third emerging pathway, led by nations like India, treats AI as public infrastructure. By embedding intelligence in societal frameworks, this model emphasises inclusivity, safety, and adaptability, turning challenges such as resource constraints and diversity into competitive strengths.
Image Courtesy: Meta AI

Public Purpose And AI For Development

As European regulations tighten and safety debates intensify in the US, the global conversation is shifting from whether AI should be governed to whose values will shape that governance. Across regions including Africa, West Asia, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, reliance on externally developed AI risks creating a new form of dependency—cognitive rather than territorial. India’s experience in developing technology at scale positions it uniquely to offer AI solutions that are affordable, adaptable, and aligned with public objectives, helping ensure that intelligence becomes a shared resource rather than a private commodity.

Strategic Investments And Geopolitical Implications

Beyond policy and ethics, the practical foundations of AI remain deeply tied to geography and infrastructure. Data centres, semiconductors, and advanced compute require land, energy, and complex supply chains. India’s investments in high-performance computing, semiconductor manufacturing, and long-term research—including quantum technologies—reflect both industrial ambition and strategic preparation. Similar movements are occurring in West Asia, where resource-rich yet smaller nations are rapidly building institutional AI capabilities. The durability of this growth depends on converting financial capital into indigenous data, research depth, and knowledge ecosystems, highlighting the importance of lived experience over mere investment.

AI Embedded In The Physical World

While public attention often focuses on language models and generative media, the deeper frontier of AI lies in its capacity to understand and model the physical world. From urban flooding to industrial risk, AI capable of simulating real-world scenarios moves from convenience to civilisational safety. India’s development trajectory compels it to confront these challenges at scale, positioning the nation to influence the shift from conversational AI to consequential intelligence embedded in public infrastructure, shaping how societies manage risk, resilience, and development.
Image Courtesy: Meta AI

Social Disruption And Responsibility

The real disruption from AI will be societal before it is technological, testing whether nations can reskill workforces faster than alarm spreads. By the mid-2030s, a multipolar intelligence order may emerge, with AI integrated across public infrastructure in the Global South and sovereign computing power influencing diplomacy akin to energy resources in prior centuries. Ultimately, the AI century challenges humanity not only to build intelligence but to govern it responsibly. India’s strategic positioning and societal experience offer a chance to guide this evolution, where survival may depend as much on wisdom and ethics as on technological capability.
Image Courtesy: Meta AI

Artificial intelligence thus presents a pivotal moment for India and the world. Its true test will not be measured by dominance or speed but by the maturity of human consciousness in managing and deploying intelligence in ways that safeguard societies and foster inclusive progress.