As AI triggers a worldwide transformation akin to past industrial leaps, AMD’s Sunil Pal has a stark message for India: Treat data like the next oil to lead the charge. In remarks before the India AI Impact Summit, the AI GPU Allocation Head predicted 2026 as AI’s breakthrough year.
ChatGPT sparked a frenzy, drawing parallels to the web’s revolutionary impact. Pal forecasts the AI market exploding to $1.7 trillion by 2031, with nations and firms scrambling for dominance. ‘Data is paramount,’ he declared in an IANS interview.
India’s strengths are unmatched: an abundance of AI engineers, a solid digital backbone, and evolution into innovation powerhouses. This talent pool allows companies to deploy AI faster and cheaper than anywhere else.
From cybersecurity to analytics and AI R&D, Indian firms are pivotal in global operations, nimbly navigating trend shifts. The nation is emerging as a nexus for AI research, engineering, chip design, and capability centers – but infrastructure gaps loom large.
‘Power shortages cripple data center ambitions,’ Pal cautioned. Reliable, affordable energy from diverse sources is essential for sustained growth. He advocated holistic, long-term strategies over quick patches, noting regulatory hurdles mirror those in the US.
Computing power isn’t location-bound; data centers in one region can serve the world. While the US dominates AI today, China’s focused investments keep it close. ‘From Beijing’s automation in 2018 to Europe’s current sprint, AI is early-stage globally,’ Pal observed.
India must remain alert, weaving AI into its economic fabric strategically. Far from just trimming costs, AI unlocks revenue through personalization, foresight, and novel models. In sectors like healthcare, it turbocharges R&D, making complex trials efficient.
Yet, Pal stressed data integrity: flawed inputs yield flawed outputs. Peering into the next half-decade, he sees AI mirroring transformative tech like smartphones, poised to redefine industries and spawn giants.
Adoption is non-negotiable for competitiveness. The summit arrives as governments worldwide ramp up AI investments, with India pushing semiconductor and digital incentives to claim a prime spot in the AI ecosystem. Data, harnessed right, could fuel India’s economic ascent.