The users’ trap: Why India must build, not just consume, AI
India faces a critical challenge in transitioning from an AI-consuming nation to an AI-building nation, as the current workforce lacks deep generative AI production skills. Experts argue that relying on imported models and APIs creates a strategic vulnerability, necessitating a shift toward domestic infrastructure and engineering talent.
Why it matters
The 'AI divide' between nations that build frontier models and those that only consume them has significant implications for long-term economic sovereignty and technological independence.
The UAE led global AI adoption in early 2026, with 70.1% of working-age adults using AI tools as per Microsoft’s Global AI Diffusion Q1 2026 Report. AI adoption in the Global North is accelerating at twice the pace of the Global South accentuating a widening technological divide. One which is driven by systemic challenges around access to frontier models, electricity, internet connectivity, and digital skills. Despite growing AI awareness through the India AI Impact Summit, India ranks 64th globally with a 17.6% adoption rate, reinforcing the Brookings report’s key message to view AI diffusion as a deliberate policy challenge instead of leaving it to market forces.
The article advocates for a nationalist industrial policy regarding technology, emphasizing self-reliance over market-driven consumption.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in