Editor’s Note
This article reports on the IMF’s new AI preparedness index presented at Davos, which placed India in a secondary tier. It includes the Indian government’s firm rejection of this ranking methodology.
During a discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF 2026) in Davos, Switzerland, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva released a new index on countries’ AI preparedness. She categorized countries into three groups: those driving change, those merely observing, and those unaware of this change. The US, Denmark, and Singapore topped the list, while India was placed in the second category alongside emerging markets like Saudi Arabia. While she praised India’s growing investment in the IT sector, she did not place it in the top group.
When asked if India needs to align with the US or China to be in the top category, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outright rejected the IMF’s ranking. He stated with full confidence that India is part of the first group, not the second, under any circumstances.
Explaining India’s strategy, the Minister said the country is simultaneously working on the five main layers of AI architecture: application, model, chip, infrastructure, and energy. He stated that India is making excellent progress in all these areas and is not limited to just one level. Vaishnaw, citing India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, said our AI capabilities will further strengthen the country’s economic future.
Emphasizing the practical side of technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw said India’s real advantage lies in the right use of AI. He clarified that profit doesn’t come from just building very large AI models, but from deploying those models to solve business and everyday problems. India is building a whole collection of efficient models with 20 to 50 billion parameters, which are already being deployed in sectors like agriculture, health, and education to increase productivity.
Questioning the IMF’s evaluation methods, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cited data from Stanford University. According to Vaishnaw, India is forging its own independent path in the field of AI rather than following anyone. He said India ranks third in AI penetration and second in the world for AI talent. India is set to host an AI Impact Summit next month, where inclusive and safe technology in the AI field will be showcased. The minister’s statement is a clear signal that India is ready to emerge as a new force in the global AI discourse, rather than standing behind the US or China.