GLS 2025 | India emerging as a key player in global AI revolution, say experts

India is fast becoming a focal point in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, with experts pointing to its strong data ecosystem, talent pool, and strategic position between Western and Eastern innovation hubs.

At CNBC-TV18’s Global Leadership Series 2025, Jeff Walters, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said AI’s impact is unlike any other technological shift seen in recent times.

“With what’s happening with AI today, India is a leader on many metrics,” he noted, adding that the country is poised to drive more innovation at the model layer as developments begin to diversify beyond China.

Walters said AI is still in its early stages - “Chapter 1” - of transforming knowledge work, and over time, human ingenuity will redefine how economic productivity is measured.

Author Michael Bhaskar said the world is witnessing a deeper AI revolution where people are becoming increasingly comfortable with “agentic AI” - systems capable of independent learning and decision-making.

He stressed that India’s vast data reserves give it a powerful edge, making it “incredibly well positioned” to leverage AI at scale.

Bhaskar also said intelligence itself is at the core of this transformation, describing it as the “architect of the world.” As AI continues to evolve, experts see India playing a pivotal role in shaping how intelligence - both human and artificial - coexists to drive future innovation.

Also Read: GLS 2025 | India offers growth amid global uncertainty, says HSBC India CEORead about our editorial guidelines and ethics policy