India faces a critical juncture in its ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence, as the technology threatens its position as a key services hub. IBM India head Sandip Patel says a coordinated effort across government, companies, and academia is essential to reskill the workforce and create strong intellectual property protections.
Patel told Reuters that India’s demographic dividend-with a huge young population-is a massive opportunity. He estimates that the country could deploy 350 million AI-trained workers worldwide.
However, Patel warns that about 70% of India's tech workforce currently lacks the AI skills businesses need. IBM has pledged to skill 5 million people in India on AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing by 2030.
To foster innovation and commercial viability, Patel calls for stronger IP protections that hold up across borders. IBM is expanding into tier-two cities like Kochi and Lucknow to tap new talent pools beyond saturated tech hubs.