Rajat Khare on India’s Road to Global AI Leadership
India stands at the cusp of an AI revolution, driven by its vast talent pool and multilingual advantage. However, brain drain threatens this potential. By funding research, supporting startups, and retaining talent through better opportunities, India can transform from a global talent supplier into a leading hub for AI innovation.
Garry Rhodes 
India stands on the brink of a major AI revolution. With its vast pool of engineers, data scientists, and multilingual users, it has the potential to lead the global AI race. However, a persistent challenge remains—brain drain. Around 15% of global AI talent originates from India, yet much of it moves abroad for better pay, research opportunities, and global exposure.
To transform from a talent supplier to an innovation hub, India must act fast. The country needs stronger public funding for AI research, more industry-academia collaboration, and incentives to make staying worthwhile—competitive salaries, fellowships, and clear career paths. Investment in deep-tech startups addressing local needs, like healthcare or agriculture AI, can keep innovation rooted in India.
India’s multilingual strength is its biggest advantage. Developing AI that understands Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or Marathi will make technology more inclusive—serving local businesses, rural users, and government programs.
The government’s AI push must now focus on retaining and nurturing talent. As investor Rajat Khare notes, the true test is whether India can build an ecosystem where innovation thrives at home. With the right policies and partnerships, India can become a global AI powerhouse rather than a talent exporter.
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