Former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka, who has launched a new AI startup with $50 million in seed funding, has said that India has the potential to become a world leader in artificial intelligence but only if India invests in AI education on a large scale. Sikka believes that India is at “an inflection point” when it comes to AI.
“…if we are able to bring AI education, the ability to build AI systems to India at a very large scale, and I’m talking about like billion plus people, then India can really leap frog and become the world’s leader in artificial intelligence, in AI skill and AI talent,” Sikka told a media outlet.
Last month, Sikka gave a presentation before NITI Aayog, at the request of the Prime Minister, on expanding the reach of AI in Indian society on a big scale.
Representatives of around 20 Union ministries were present during it. Sikka said that creating the necessary infrastructure to create talent via institutions & schools was crucial. And if it does so, then India “could be a world leader” he said.
Sikka believes that if India does not ride the current AI wave and create capacity to produce talent, then AI could become a negative disruptor to Indian society.
Referring to his interaction with government officials, Sikka said that he was encouraged by their commitment to this cause. It is important to note that Sikka completed his PhD in artificial intelligence from Stanford University in 1996.
