India Poised for AI Revolution: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at Rising Bharat Summit

India is set to become a global leader in the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi.

With an outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore, the IndiaAUnion I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. File image/Reuters

During a discussion with Moneycontrol’s Nalin Mehta and Chandra Srikanth, the minister emphasized that India is not falling behind in the AI race—on the contrary, it is making rapid progress to secure its place among the front-runners.

“We are very much in the race. We will be among the top few countries who will be able to harness its powers,” Vaishnaw said, highlighting the government’s strong confidence and continued efforts to embed AI into India’s technological landscape.

India's Surge in AI and Semiconductor Innovation

The minister’s comments at Rising Bharat come as part of the Indian government’s wider effort to establish a strong ecosystem for emerging technologies, particularly semiconductors, which are the crucial hardware behind AI systems. Speaking virtually at the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal, Vaishnaw revealed in February that India’s first Made in India semiconductor chip is slated for completion by September 2025.

During a February event, Vaishnaw pointed out that five semiconductor plants are currently being built simultaneously, marking a significant advancement for a nation that has only recently entered the chip manufacturing sector.

To build long-term capacity and maintain progress, the government has launched a program to train 85,000 engineers in advanced semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. This initiative aims to bolster India’s talent pool and reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

A Warning on AI Bias

Although there is significant optimism surrounding AI and chip-making, Vaishnaw also emphasized the need to consider the ethical implications of AI systems. “Bias in AI can be very dangerous,” he warned, highlighting the risks associated with unregulated algorithms. “It can play out very negatively,” he cautioned, highlighting the need for safeguards, fairness, and responsible governance as AI adoption continues to grow.

The minister’s words reflect growing global concern about how AI models can amplify societal biases if not designed and deployed carefully. With India’s massive population and diverse social fabric, ensuring that AI tools are equitable and transparent is likely to become a cornerstone of future regulation.

(This Article was originally published by First Post)