NEW DELHI– Nearly 16 percent of the world’s artificial intelligence talent is of Indian origin, giving India a significant advantage in global AI capability, according to a white paper released Tuesday. The report also projects that India will contribute close to 20 percent of incremental global GDP growth over the next 15 years.
The white paper, unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, aims to reframe the national AI narrative away from concerns around automation and job displacement toward productivity growth, institutional strengthening, and broader participation in the digital economy.
It argues that the next phase of economic expansion will be driven not by access to artificial intelligence alone, but by disciplined execution and large-scale institutional adoption. Drawing on pre-summit consultations with policymakers and industry stakeholders, the paper lays out a roadmap for job creation, productivity gains, and inclusive growth, positioning India as a reference model for emerging economies.
Titled “AI for All: Catalysing Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity,” the white paper was released through a collaboration involving global technology and policy stakeholders, with a focus on translating India’s digital strengths into measurable outcomes.
“India has built strong digital public infrastructure and nurtured one of the world’s largest pools of AI talent. The next phase of our journey is about translating these strengths into institutional capacity and measurable outcomes,” said Abhishek Singh, additional secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and chief executive officer of the IndiaAI Mission.
The report examines India’s digital public infrastructure framework, including platforms for financial inclusion, digital identity, payments, data sharing, and open commerce. It outlines how artificial intelligence can be responsibly embedded within such systems and scaled across emerging markets, reinforcing India’s position as a Global South leader.
“AI must be embedded within agriculture markets, classrooms, clinics, factories, and financial systems. When deployed responsibly, it can support net job creation while strengthening trust, governance, and long-term productivity,” said Rentala Chandrashekhar, chief mentor of the AI for All Project and chairman of the Centre for the Digital Future.
According to Sehraj Singh, managing director of Prosus India, India’s growth trajectory in AI will be determined by its ability to execute at scale rather than by access to technology alone.
Vipin V, managing director and partner at BCG, said the central challenge ahead lies in institutionalization, adding that AI must be treated as a strategic capability tied directly to economic outcomes and long-term system performance. (Source: IANS)
