India’s AI revolution is under threat from political meddling and insurgent sabotage, according to Binay Kumar Singh, head of the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Research Foundation. In an interview on Tuesday, Singh painted a vivid picture of AI’s transformative power in realizing a developed India by 2047, calling its impact ‘immeasurable.’
Yet, dark clouds loom. Singh lambasted Naxalites for deliberately obstructing infrastructure and development initiatives, aiming to cripple progress. ‘We won’t allow it,’ he declared, reaffirming the government’s ironclad commitment to wipe out this menace. Beyond left-wing extremism, Singh turned his gaze to mainstream opposition antics.
The recent Congress-led protests at a high-profile AI summit served as a stark example. These actions, timed to embarrass India internationally, backfired spectacularly. Rahul Gandhi’s praise for the agitators as ‘babbar lions’ only fueled the outrage. Singh lamented the missed opportunity for Gandhi to apologize, which could have mended fences.
Educators nationwide echoed this sentiment, releasing a collective denunciation of the protests’ modus operandi. ‘Such events damage our international standing,’ they stated. Singh stressed that AI summits are for innovation, not political slugfests. Congress’s bid to exploit the platform for electoral gains is unacceptable, he insisted.
Looking ahead, Singh envisioned AI as a growth accelerator but urged vigilance against saboteurs. The broad backlash against the protests signals a national consensus: technology must transcend politics. As India marches toward 2047, protecting AI ecosystems will be key to unlocking prosperity.