Is Bengaluru's 26th Position in Global AI City Index a Cause for Concern?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bengaluru ranks 26th globally in AI city index.
- Leading AI R&D and data centre hub in India.
- Emerging cities include Mumbai and Delhi.
- Need for a stronger regulatory framework.
- Singapore leads globally followed by Seoul and Beijing.
New Delhi, Aug 4 (NationPress) Bengaluru has achieved a commendable 26th ranking in the global artificial intelligence (AI) city index, solidifying its position as India's leading AI R&D and data centre hub, as highlighted in a recent report.
The '2025 AI City Index' compiled by market research firm Counterpoint Research indicates a surge in the rankings for numerous Indian cities. Notably, Bengaluru, Riyadh, Hangzhou, and São Paulo are cited as some of the fastest-evolving AI cities on the global stage.
Having established itself as a significant global player in AI R&D and data centres, Bengaluru tops the list of Indian cities, followed closely by Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.
While Bengaluru boasts numerous startups attracting foreign capital, the report notes that Mumbai and Delhi are creatively leveraging AI for traffic management and public safety, indicating potential upward mobility in future rankings.
The local administration is exploring innovative applications of AI in traffic management, public safety, and other areas. However, the report suggests that a more robust roadmap and regulatory framework would greatly benefit Indian cities.
On the global front, Singapore has emerged as the premier AI city, followed by Seoul, Beijing, Dubai, and San Francisco within the top five.
A thriving startup ecosystem and strong public-private partnerships in sectors like healthcare, transportation, and telecommunications have propelled Singapore's ascent. Meanwhile, Seoul has made significant strides in integrating AI into healthcare and education. Beijing plans to introduce formal AI education for primary and secondary school students starting in 2025.
Given the substantial investments in supercomputing, the report suggests that the disparity between North America and China will likely diminish in the coming year.
Microsoft has emerged as a key player in this landscape, expanding its AI data centre presence, offering AI training, and launching AI innovation hubs. Google and Amazon are also increasing their investments in similar domains, as per the report.
–IANS
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