Given the scale of impact artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to have on the world, India isn’t discussing it nearly enough. Globally, hundreds of billions of dollars are being invested into AI—from building advanced hardware and training powerful models to helping nearly every major business adapt to this new technological paradigm. The potential transformation is massive.
In India, AI is occasionally a topic of conversation, but such discussions often devolve into empty nationalism—statements like “we will build our own AI,” or “we are no less than the West,” or even worse, “thousands of years ago India was so advanced that…” This shows a fundamental lack of understanding about what is actually unfolding in the world.
AI’s impact on jobs across sectors, including in India, is already becoming visible. Our software industry—which has long been a global supplier of coding talent—is facing an existential threat. AI can now code better than many human programmers. Corporate white-collar jobs, especially those involving repetitive tasks like writing memos, creating presentations, and compiling spreadsheets, are also vulnerable. Even the labor market isn’t immune: robots are arriving, capable of replacing factory and domestic workers—without any of the challenges that come with managing people.
Even creative industries are at risk. Google recently launched Veo 3, a tool that can generate movie-quality videos with sound and AI-generated actors—all from simple text prompts. If you watch Veo 3 demos online, you’ll likely be stunned. And this is just the beginning.
Does this mean all jobs will vanish? Certainly not. As with any technological revolution, new kinds of jobs will emerge. However, we don’t yet know what these will look like. The only way to remain relevant is to actively invest in and engage with AI development from the outset. Does India have a national AI strategy? If so, what is it? These are the questions we should be debating on television—rather than speculating about whether we’ve blown up Pakistani cities or will do so in the future.
Some may ask: how is AI related to national security and terrorism?
Here’s an aspect we’re barely discussing: AI-enabled, robotic terrorism.
All the advancements in AI and robotics will inevitably change the future tactics of terrorism. Imagine a drone dropping a pre-programmed robot just across the border into Indian territory. This robot then makes its way to a crowded public area, unleashing destruction—either through gunfire or by self-detonation. No suspects, no human perpetrators—just chaos. Sounds like science fiction? It’s closer to reality than we think.
We caught a glimpse of this during Operation Sindoor. Unlike previous Indo-Pak conflicts, this was the first time so many unmanned drones were deployed to inflict damage. While we managed to shoot many of them down, what happens when the attacker is not in the sky—but already on the ground in the form of a robot?
Think robots are still years away? Tesla claims it will have a consumer-grade robot ready within five years. That means anyone could soon buy a robot to make a sandwich or clean the house. Military forces often gain access to such technologies even earlier.
And no, not all robots will look like metallic humanoids. Some may resemble humans, with silicone skin. Others might be disguised as harmless everyday objects—a lawnmower, a bicycle, or even a car.
All of this may sound far-fetched right now. But ten years ago, did we imagine thousands of drones flying into Jammu? Why should this groundbreaking new technology not be used in warfare?
What does this mean for India?
First, we must treat AI and robotics as a national priority. If that requires a dedicated ministry—just as we created one for Information Technology decades ago—so be it. We need to develop top-tier AI capabilities and build our own advanced robots.
Second, we must prepare for technology-driven, robotic terrorism. This will require a radically different defense strategy—one that goes beyond traditional law enforcement chasing human suspects.
Finally, there’s a broader message here—not just for India, but for the entire world. As AI and robotics become more advanced, the destructive potential of each side in a conflict will increase dramatically. That means longstanding disputes can no longer be resolved through violence. The best defense against malicious tech is good tech, yes—but ultimately, the only sustainable path forward is through communication, diplomacy, and dialogue.
India must urgently prioritize AI and robotics—not just to create the jobs of the future, but to protect itself against the growing threat of AI-powered terrorism.