- India has emerged as one of the leading countries in artificial intelligence (AI) maturity in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a new report by International Data Corporation (IDC) prepared in partnership with Dell Technologies.
- The report on AI Sovereignty stated that India has moved beyond the evaluation stage of AI adoption and is now entering phases of testing, deployment, and early mission-scale implementation.
- According to the report, India is among the most advanced AI-ready nations in the region alongside:
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- These countries are actively building operational AI capabilities and experimenting with structured deployment models.
- The report noted that India has progressed faster than several other Asia-Pacific economies, including:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- These nations are still largely focused on evaluating sovereign AI technologies and assessing institutional readiness before broader implementation.
Focus on Sovereign AI Infrastructure
The report highlighted that governments across the region are increasingly focusing on “Sovereign AI” — a framework that allows countries to maintain control over sensitive data, critical systems, and strategic digital infrastructure.
India is prioritising the creation of shared national AI infrastructure to:
- Improve cost efficiency
- Expand access to trusted computing resources
- Reduce dependence on foreign-controlled systems
- Strengthen secure AI deployment
This approach is aimed at supporting large-scale AI adoption while ensuring data security and regulatory compliance.
Governments Taking a Cautious Approach
- Despite rising interest in AI, the report noted that most governments are adopting a phased and risk-managed strategy toward deployment.
- Countries are currently investing in foundational capabilities such as:
- Data readiness
- Cybersecurity safeguards
- Governance and regulatory frameworks
- Trusted computing infrastructure
- The report observed that AI adoption across the region remains largely exploratory, particularly in mission-critical public sector environments where reliability and security are essential.
India Strengthening Its AI Ecosystem
India’s growing AI maturity reflects the country’s broader push toward becoming a global AI hub through initiatives focused on:
- Indigenous AI infrastructure
- Digital public platforms
- AI research and innovation
- Inclusive and multilingual AI systems
- Responsible AI governance
The report indicates that India is increasingly positioning itself as a major player in the global AI landscape while balancing innovation with digital sovereignty and data security.
About IDC
- International Data Corporation (IDC) is a leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology industries.
- Founded: 1964 by Patrick Joseph McGovern
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Ownership: Wholly owned by Blackstone Inc.
- CEO: Genevieve Juillard (appointed 2023)