India is making progress in artificial intelligence (AI), with growing opportunities in applications, data center infrastructure and manufacturing. However, the country still has considerable ground to cover in developing advanced AI models and strengthening its position in the semiconductor ecosystem.

While Indian entrepreneurs are building AI-powered products for domestic and global markets, India remains dependent on partnerships for critical capabilities such as chips. It also lacks the capital and risk appetite needed to compete in the development of frontier AI models, according to industry leaders who spoke at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) Collective.

So, where does India stand in the global AI race? Which parts of the ecosystem are progressing, where are the gaps, and what will it take for the country to become more than just a consumer of technology developed elsewhere?

Srikanth V, Group CEO and Executive Vice Chairman of Fractal, Ankit Agarwal, Managing Director of Sterlite Tech, and Nitish Mittersain, Founder of Nazara, offered their perspectives on India's opportunities and challenges.

To understand India's position in the global AI race, it is important to look at the different layers that make up the AI ecosystem.

According to Srikanth, the AI value chain starts with energy, followed by chips, AI infrastructure, models and, finally, applications. India has made uneven progress across these five layers.

On energy, India is reasonably well placed. Its position in AI infrastructure is also encouraging, with favourable tax policies and cost economics helping create the conditions for investment in data centers.

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