Sarvam AI co-founder Vivek Raghavan has cautioned that India could risk becoming a "digital colony" if it continues to depend on foreign artificial intelligence (AI) technologies instead of developing its own foundational models, computing infrastructure and data capabilities.
Addressing students at The Scindia School's Founder's Day event in Gwalior, Raghavan emphasised the need for India to build an independent AI ecosystem as the United States and China compete to establish leadership in artificial intelligence.
He argued that technological sovereignty would be important in determining India's ability to develop and deploy AI systems suited to its domestic requirements. According to Raghavan, the country must strengthen its capabilities in building AI models, developing computing infrastructure and maintaining control over its data.
Drawing on his experience with India's Aadhaar programme, Raghavan highlighted the country's ability to develop digital systems at a population-wide scale. He recalled volunteering on the project for more than a decade, witnessing its expansion from the first Aadhaar identity issued to the billionth.
He suggested that India could apply a similar approach to AI development, particularly in creating technologies designed around the country's linguistic diversity and public service requirements.
Raghavan also stressed that AI adoption should extend beyond technology companies and urban populations. He identified education, healthcare, banking, legal assistance and government services as areas where affordable AI tools could improve access and service delivery.
Highlighting the importance of regional languages, he said, "If AI does not work in your language, it does not really work for you."
His remarks reflected the need to develop AI systems capable of supporting India's multilingual population, particularly users who may not interact with digital services primarily in English.
Raghavan also addressed the potential impact of AI on employment, acknowledging that technological developments could change existing job roles and lead to the disappearance of certain occupations.
He encouraged students to focus on continuous learning, adaptability and developing new skills as AI becomes more widely integrated into workplaces and everyday activities.
Alongside the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, he identified fraud, misinformation and cybersecurity threats as areas requiring appropriate safeguards.
Speaking to younger students, Raghavan urged them to experiment with AI technologies and develop the ability to ask relevant questions rather than relying exclusively on memorised information.
"You are not the future of this country. You are its present," he said, encouraging students to participate in shaping India's technological development.
He also connected India's AI ambitions with its broader objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047, calling for greater self-reliance, technical capabilities and responsible innovation.
Raghavan's remarks centred on the importance of domestic AI development, wider accessibility and workforce preparedness as India expands its participation in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem.
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