By Rajesh Mehta & Aditya Vijayvargiya
India can not only secure its place as a pivotal player in the global AI ecosystem but also help build a future where innovation serves humanity without sacrificing its values.
In the recent trip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to DC, it was decided that a US-India AI Roadmap be finalized by the end of the year. Next-generation data centers and AI processing partnerships were also announced. The Paris AI Summit emerged as one of the year’s most high-profile and hard-hitting gatherings — a spectacle of digital brilliance set against the storied backdrop of the Grand Palais. Far from being a mere parade of technological demos, the summit was a charged forum where global leaders, tech giants, and policy experts debated the future of artificial intelligence with both enthusiasm and caution.
The ambiance was as much about dazzling digital displays as it was about high-stakes debate. Delegates from across continents gathered to explore AI’s transformative potential, yet beneath the spectacle lay a palpable sense of urgency and skepticism. Critics noted that despite the glossy presentations, many discussions skirted around real challenges: Ensuring that AI benefits society without exacerbating inequality or compromising privacy.
Among the memorable moments, French President Emmanuel Macron’s wry remark captured the spirit of the summit: “I have a good friend on the other side of the ocean saying ‘drill, baby, drill'. Here, there is no need to drill. It’s plug, baby, plug.” This quip juxtaposed the traditional extraction-based economy with a future powered by clean, digital energy, underscoring Europe’s commitment to sustainable innovation. Yet, the summit was not without its ironies. While many leaders extolled the promise of AI-driven progress, there was an undercurrent of caution about overreaching ambitions and unbridled corporate power.
The discussions touched on everything from ethical data use to the need for agile regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with rapid technological change — without stifling the creative spark that drives innovation. In many ways, the Paris AI Summit set the stage for a global dialogue on how to balance ambition with accountability, and enthusiasm with prudence. On the international front, the positions of the United States, Europe, and China on artificial intelligence reveal stark contrasts in philosophy and approach. The United States, as echoed by Vice President JD Vance, maintains that “excessive regulation will kill innovation”.
This perspective, deeply rooted in Silicon Valley’s ethos, champions a hands-off approach where market forces and entrepreneurial daring propel technological breakthroughs. Critics, however, worry that such deregulation might leave consumers vulnerable to unchecked corporate influence and opaque algorithms. Across the Atlantic, European leaders have taken a markedly different stance, emphasizing “innovation with responsibility.” Initiatives like InvestAI and successful AI regulation in the fintech sector in the UK have set benchmarks for integrating technology with robust oversight and environmental stewardship.
Meanwhile, China is asserting its own narrative with a blend of assertiveness and openness. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing recently declared Beijing’s willingness to “work with other countries to safeguard security and share achievements” in AI, underscoring a strategic drive to build “a community with a shared future for mankind.” Adding another twist to the global mosaic, countries like the UAE are investing heavily in AI data hubs, while Sweden is emerging as a vibrant incubator for AI startups — each contributing unique models of growth, regulation, and innovation. Amid these divergent global strategies, the evolving dynamics of India–US relations in the AI sector offer both promise and challenge. India, with its burgeoning digital ecosystem and an unparalleled reservoir of young, tech-savvy talent, is steadily emerging as a key player and a prominent voice of the Global South in the global AI conversation. The United States, with its robust research infrastructure and a long-standing culture of disruptive innovation presents an opportunity for mutually beneficial partnerships.
However, this alliance carries inherent tensions. The US approach — often characterized by a “burn the ships” mentality that prizes rapid expansion and minimal oversight—could clash with India’s need for a more measured, long-term strategy that prioritizes resilience, inclusivity, and ethical governance. To truly capitalize on this potential, India must invest heavily in research and development, nurture vibrant public-private partnerships, and cultivate regulatory frameworks that are as adaptive as they are protective.
By developing indigenous AI solutions tailored to its diverse socio-economic landscape, India can transition from being primarily a digital services provider into a global hub for innovation, ensuring that the benefits of technological progress resonate across the Global South. Adding another layer of complexity to this global narrative is the growing recognition that the AI revolution is reshaping power structures in ways that defy traditional controls.
Recent discussions — from platforms at Davos to heated corridors at the Paris summit — have increasingly emphasized that AI is not merely a tool, but an accelerant that exposes the fragility of established systems. The prevailing sentiment is stark: “You do not control AI. You adapt to it.” This challenges the assumption that governments or corporations can impose lasting control over rapidly evolving technologies. The US stance of “burning the ships” to push forward contrasts sharply with Europe’s desire to rein in AI through regulation, while China’s approach — combining assertive growth with promises of shared benefits — reflects a nuanced, if ambitious, strategy.
Meanwhile, corporate leaders such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai are coming to terms with the unintended consequences of their innovations, as boardrooms struggle to keep pace with technologies that evolve beyond anticipated boundaries. In this scenario, the next five years could determine not only which nations or corporations dominate the AI landscape but also how societies worldwide adapt to a technology that is as unpredictable as it is transformative. In conclusion, the conversations and controversies sparked at the Paris AI Summit provide a vivid snapshot of a world at a technological crossroads. The event illuminated both the extraordinary promise of AI to revolutionize sectors ranging from healthcare and education to national security and environmental sustainability and the equally daunting challenges of ensuring that such advancements benefit society as a whole.
The divergent approaches of the United States, Europe, China, and emerging leaders like the UAE and Sweden reveal a global landscape where ideological, economic, and strategic interests often clash — setting the stage for a high-stakes contest that could redefine the future of global power.
For India, the imperative is clear: to leverage its unique strengths — its vast talent pool, dynamic digital infrastructure, and status as a voice for the Global South — while navigating the treacherous waters of international tech politics and corporate maneuvering. By investing strategically in R&D, forging robust partnerships with global tech leaders, and developing adaptable regulatory frameworks, India can not only secure its place as a pivotal player in the global AI ecosystem but also help build a future where innovation serves humanity without sacrificing its values. As leaders like Macron, JD Vance, and industry stalwarts articulate their visions, one thing becomes evident — AI is not a distant promise but a present reality that demands bold, nuanced, and adaptable strategies for a world that is as interconnected as it is diverse.
==================
Rajesh Mehta is an International Affairs expert working on areas like Market Entry, Innovation & Public Policy. Aditya Vijayvargiya is Co-founder, Technology Head, and Director at Unada Labs — an AI visionary reshaping industries with cutting-edge AI-enabled system design to solve today’s most complex challenges.
