By K Raveendran
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for greater emphasis on the Global South in the evolving world order shaped by artificial intelligence is a strategic proposition. With AI becoming the most critical technological force of the 21st century, it is imperative that developing nations, particularly those in the Global South, have a role in defining its trajectory. India’s offer to host the next AI summit after the Paris edition, which Modi co-chaired, underscores its ambition to be a key player in this transformative space.
However, while this intent is noble, the landscape of artificial intelligence has already undergone a seismic shift with China’s recent advancements, particularly the emergence of DeepSeek, which marks a significant milestone in AI history. The pre- and post-DeepSeek phases delineate a new reality in which the longstanding American dominance in AI faces serious disruption.
China’s ascendance in AI, catalysed by DeepSeek, represents a fundamental challenge to what some have termed American AI imperialism. This shift, however, has not occurred in isolation. Rather, it is the culmination of a series of strategic and policy-driven developments, many of which can be traced back to the United States’ own approach to technological supremacy. Washington’s restrictive policies, including export bans on semiconductor technology and AI chips, have inadvertently fuelled China’s determination to develop indigenous alternatives, leading to breakthroughs like DeepSeek. This shift is not merely about AI models or algorithms but also about an ecosystem that includes semiconductor manufacturing, cloud infrastructure, and quantum computing—all areas where China has been making rapid strides.
For India, the challenge is twofold. First, it must accelerate its AI capabilities to bridge the widening gap between itself and the AI superpowers, China and the United States. Second, it must ensure that its AI policies align with the larger goal of empowering the Global South, preventing AI from becoming yet another tool of geopolitical hegemony. Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s meeting with Modi in Paris reflects global tech giants’ recognition of India’s potential role in AI. However, this potential must translate into concrete action, from fostering domestic AI research to developing regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
India’s AI journey has often been viewed with skepticism. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, famously described India’s AI landscape as “hopeless” just two years ago. His recent admission that India is now OpenAI’s second-biggest market is a testament to the country’s progress. Yet, being a major consumer of AI technologies is vastly different from being a leader in AI research and development. India must strive to build foundational AI models, develop AI-specific hardware, and cultivate a robust startup ecosystem that can drive indigenous AI innovation.
The Global South’s role in AI cannot be restricted to passive participation or policy alignment with the existing superpowers. Instead, it must leverage AI for economic and social transformation. AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, areas where developing nations have the most to gain. The challenge is to develop AI solutions tailored to the unique needs of the Global South rather than importing models designed for vastly different socio-economic contexts. This necessitates significant investment in AI research, skill development, and infrastructure to ensure that AI does not become another mechanism of digital colonization.
The geopolitical landscape of AI is evolving rapidly, and India stands at a crossroads. While its strategic alliances with Western tech giants provide an opportunity for collaboration, its long-term AI strategy must focus on self-reliance and leadership in AI development. With China’s DeepSeek signalling a new era in AI, India cannot afford complacency. To truly shape the AI-driven world order and advocate for the Global South, it must invest in its own AI capabilities and ensure that emerging AI frameworks are inclusive, ethical, and representative of the interests of all nations, not just the dominant players. (IPA )
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