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IIT Directors: India Can Build Sovereign AI Models Like UPI Success

IIT Jammu Founding Director Manoj Singh Gaur stated at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 that India has the potential to develop sovereign AI models tailored for national needs, inspired by the success of digital public infrastructure like Aadhaar and UPI. He emphasized creating homegrown, contextually relevant models rather than relying entirely on Western frameworks. IIT Ropar Director also affirmed India's emerging leadership in AI, citing French President Emmanuel Macron's recognition of India's digital success. The summit in New Delhi brings together global experts to advance discussions on artificial intelligence.

Key Points: India to Develop Sovereign AI Models, Say IIT Directors

  • Replicate digital infra success for AI
  • Build sovereign, contextual models
  • Use AI for global public good
  • India poised to lead AI world
2 min read

"Opportunity to create our own models": IIT Jammu Director at AI Summit 2026

IIT Jammu Director Manoj Singh Gaur says India can create its own contextual AI models, leveraging lessons from Aadhaar and UPI digital infrastructure.

"The opportunity here is that we can create our own models, which we will. - Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur"

New Delhi, February 19

Indian Institute of Technology Jammu Founding Director Manoj Singh Gaur on Thursday said that India has the potential to develop sovereign Artificial Intelligence models "tailored for national needs" and leveraging lessons from its digital infrastructure.

Speaking to ANI at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 here, Professor Gaur highlighted the transformative impact of India's digital public infrastructure initiatives and cited "Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as examples."

"This is an opportunity for us to replicate what we did as a digital public infrastructure in the form of Aadhaar and UPI, which nobody thought about, but at scale it happened on the ground," he said.

Gaur also stressed that India's AI models should be homegrown and contextually relevant, rather than fully reliant on Western centralised frameworks.

"The opportunity here is that we can create our own models, which we will. The models which are contextual to India and they are not entirely dependent on the Western centralised model, but they are our own. They are sovereign model, sovereign technology for our use, data for public good or governance for public good," he added.

Further, IIT Ropar Director hailed India as a leader-in-making in Artificial Intelligence, stating that the country will be using AI for the "good of the whole of humanity."

Ahuja referred to French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks about India's success in the digital sector to affirm that India will emerge as a global leader in AI.

"India is going to lead the AI world. Whatever we are going to develop in India, we will deploy it in the whole world. We are working for the good of the whole of humanity. President Macron told the audience that India has proven with its digital avatar what they have created, which nobody believed, but everybody believed what India has done when it comes to digital transactions or in that sphere. We will be the top country in the world when it comes to AI," he told ANI.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It started on February 16 and will run up to February 20. The Summit brought together government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators and civil society from across the world at the national capital to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in tech, I appreciate the focus on context. Western models often miss nuances of Indian languages and local issues. Building our own foundation is crucial for real impact.
P
Priya S
Hopeful but we need action. IITs talking is one thing, but where is the funding and clear roadmap for startups and researchers? We can't just keep having summits. The vision must translate to ground reality.
V
Vikram M
Absolutely! Imagine AI that understands Bharat's diversity - from farming advice in Marathi to healthcare in tribal areas. UPI showed we can innovate at scale. AI should be next. 🚀
R
Rohit P
The ambition is good, but let's be practical. Developing sovereign models requires massive investment and open collaboration. We shouldn't completely reject Western frameworks, but adapt them wisely. A balanced approach is key.
K
Kavya N
Data for public good is the most important phrase here. Our AI must prioritize solving everyday problems for common people - traffic, pollution, access to services - not just corporate profits.

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