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India's AI Rise Fueled by Youth & Grassroots Innovation, Say Global Voices

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur believes India's AI superpower potential stems from overwhelming youth participation and grassroots, necessity-driven innovation, urging a development model tailored to local realities. American economist Steve Hanke notes India is promoting its Global AI Commons initiative and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership on AI policy. The AI Impact Summit has drawn global participation, including heads of state and international organizations, to discuss ethical and strategic AI dimensions. India is positioning itself as a key driver of inclusive, collaborative AI development on the world stage.

Key Points: India's AI Superpower Path: Youth & Grassroots Innovation

  • Youth enthusiasm key to India's AI future
  • Need for India-specific AI development model
  • Grassroots, necessity-driven innovation praised
  • Global AI Commons initiative highlighted
  • Summit attracts global leaders & 110+ nations
2 min read

India's AI rise rooted in youth, grassroots innovation, says Shekhar Kapur; US prof backs global role

Shekhar Kapur & Steve Hanke highlight India's AI potential driven by youth enthusiasm and bottom-up innovation at the AI Impact Summit.

"The rise of AI in India will come from the bottom of the pyramid, where technology is most needed - Shekhar Kapur"

New Delhi, Feb 18

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and American economist Steve Hanke have voiced strong support for India's growing role in the global artificial intelligence landscape during the ongoing AI Impact Summit.

Taking to X, Kapur highlighted the overwhelming participation of young people at the summit, saying the auditorium was filled beyond capacity with students eager to listen and learn about AI. He said the enthusiasm and curiosity among the youth convinced him that India could soon emerge as a superpower in artificial intelligence.

However, Kapur emphasised the need to approach AI development from an Indian perspective. Drawing parallels with the country's digital transformation, he said India must shape its AI journey according to local realities rather than relying entirely on Western models.

According to him, the rise of AI in India will come from the bottom of the pyramid, where technology is most needed and where necessity-driven innovation thrives. He stressed that true, need-based intuition exists at the grassroots level and should guide India's AI strategy.

Meanwhile, American Professor of Applied Economics Hanke noted that India is pushing its "Global AI Commons" initiative at the summit this week. He said that AI pioneer Yann LeCun has supported open and collaborative artificial intelligence efforts and believes India has an important role to play in shaping the global AI ecosystem.

Hanke praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steering the country in what he described as the right direction on AI policy and innovation.

The five-day Summit has attracted over 110 countries and 30 international organisations, including about 20 heads of state or government and around 45 ministers.

The AI Impact Summit has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and students from across the world to deliberate on the ethical, economic and strategic dimensions of artificial intelligence, with India positioning itself as a key driver of inclusive and collaborative AI development.

India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is the fourth in its series, following editions in the UK (Bletchley Park, 2023), South Korea (2024), and France (2025). The Summit offers a platform for leaders to discuss AI's ethical, economic, and social impacts while strengthening partnerships across digital technology, culture, tourism, and maritime cooperation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud to see India taking a leadership role in the global AI conversation. The enthusiasm at the summit is a testament to our young population's potential. Let's hope this translates into real opportunities and jobs here, not just brain drain to the West.
M
Michael C
As someone working in tech, I appreciate Kapur's point about an "Indian perspective." Too often, we import solutions that don't fit our context. Grassroots innovation is where the real magic happens. The "Global AI Commons" initiative sounds promising for collaboration.
S
Shreya B
While the optimism is great, we need to be cautious. AI development must be ethical and inclusive. I hope the summit discussions focus on preventing bias in AI and ensuring the benefits reach all sections of society, not just urban elites. The intent is good, but execution is key.
R
Rohit P
The auditorium filled beyond capacity with students says it all! Our youth are hungry for this knowledge. The government needs to channel this energy with proper infrastructure, funding for startups, and updated education curricula. The future is bright! ✨
K
Karthik V
It's encouraging to see international recognition. Hanke's comments and LeCun's support for the Global AI Commons add credibility. However, we must ensure this isn't just talk. We need sustained policy support and public-private partnerships to build a robust AI ecosystem from the ground up.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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