Abstract: Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming a foundational technology that will shape economic growth, national security, and societal transformation in the coming decades. As AI systems increasingly influence decision-making across sectors—from healthcare and finance to defence and governance—nations are beginning to recognise the importance of developing sovereign AI capabilities.
Sovereign AI refers to a country’s ability to build, deploy, and govern AI systems using its own trusted infrastructure, data ecosystems, and talent. For India, this is not merely a technological ambition but a strategic imperative. Relying heavily on external AI platforms and infrastructure could create long-term dependencies that affect data security, innovation capacity, and policy autonomy. India has already taken important steps in this direction through initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission and broader digital transformation programs like Digital India. However, achieving true AI sovereignty will require coordinated efforts across government, academia, and industry. Key priorities include building national compute infrastructure, developing high-quality indigenous datasets, strengthening AI research ecosystems, and nurturing a deep pool of skilled talent.
Educational institutions will play a critical role in this journey by driving research, shaping ethical frameworks, and preparing the next generation of AI leaders. This talk will explore why sovereign AI matters for India, the policy choices required to enable it, and how academic institutions can contribute to building a resilient and globally competitive AI ecosystem.
Speaker Bio-sketch: Abhishek Verma is a Partner and the Lead for Digital Government Advisory at KPMG in India, where he works at the intersection of technology, policy, and public sector transformation. With over two decades of experience in consulting and technology advisory, he has been closely involved in helping governments design and implement large-scale digital transformation programs that improve governance and citizen service delivery. His work focuses on areas such as digital public infrastructure, enterprise architecture, data-driven governance, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence. Over the years, he has advised several government institutions across sectors such as education, defence, and smart cities, helping them leverage technology for more efficient and transparent public services.
Abhishek brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective shaped by his early career in the armed forces and his experience in global consulting. He holds an MBA from the University of Manchester, UK and has also studied at the MDI Gurgaon and JNU New Delhi. Through his work, Abhishek continues to contribute to conversations around responsible technology adoption, digital governance, and the role of emerging technologies such as AI in shaping the future of public institutions.
Moderator : Dr Anupam Guha, ADCPS