Washington, Feb 13 (NationPress) India is strategically positioned to emerge as a global frontrunner in AI adoption, potentially surpassing 10 percent GDP growth within the next two years with a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Umesh Sachdev, the CEO and co-founder of Uniphore, stated in anticipation of the upcoming India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

“We are at a very intriguing juncture in the global AI rollout,” Sachdev expressed in an exclusive interview with IANS. Uniphore operates in 20 countries, collaborates with approximately 2,500 enterprises worldwide, and counts 200 Fortune 500 companies among its clientele.

As he prepares to attend the significant summit, Sachdev highlighted two pivotal trends reshaping the AI landscape. First, “companies and nations are recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective.” He emphasized that ecosystems and partnerships are becoming crucial, stating, “Building ecosystems is a significant trend we are observing.”

In this context, Sachdev described the India AI Impact Summit as extremely timely for India to forge alliances “with other nations, large corporations, and startups in the AI application, model, and semiconductor sectors.”

The second trend he noted is the adoption of AI. While the US and China currently lead in core AI technologies, “if there is one nation that is ideally positioned to spearhead AI adoption and application, it is India.” With a population of 1.4 billion, “India has the greatest potential to become the global leader in AI adoption.

Regarding talent, Sachdev pointed out that India’s advantages extend beyond mere numbers. “India is exceptionally well-equipped not only in terms of AI talent in large quantities but also in leadership talent.” He highlighted the significant proportion of Indian-origin leaders in major global AI firms.

Sachdev characterized 2026 as a critical turning point. “AI is set to become the economic growth engine for businesses and nations in 2026.” He remarked that several companies are already reporting increased earnings due to AI, and GDP growth rates are starting to rise.

“I wouldn't be surprised if the US's GDP reaches the six, possibly even seven percent range due to the productivity enhancements that businesses and nations are experiencing from AI,” he noted. For India, he expressed even more optimism, stating, “India is likely to exceed 10 percent growth in the next 24 months if it continues to prioritize AI adoption.”

He described the forthcoming years as an “age of abundance” driven by productivity improvements. “Productivity, which has remained largely stagnant globally for the past 25-30 years, is expected to experience a significant shift due to agent and generative AI,” he added. He dismissed concerns that AI might lead to job losses, asserting, “In fact, I believe more jobs will be created.”

On governance and public services, he mentioned that AI agents can streamline form-filling, enhance government access, and improve legal and medical services, thereby lowering costs. “The implications for citizens will be immense,” he stated.

Sachdev acknowledged existing challenges. “The primary challenge, which is relatively novel, is geopolitics.” He pointed to worries about restrictions, which are driving the trend toward sovereign AI. He also cautioned against excessive regulation, noting that while AI “certainly cannot be left unchecked,” overregulation could exacerbate disparities between “the privileged and the underprivileged.”

Regarding China, he identified a notable “clear dichotomy.” Developers in Silicon Valley admire Chinese models for their performance and cost-effectiveness, yet “corporate America is hesitant to even discuss Chinese models due to regulatory fears and geopolitical concerns.”

Uniphore, he noted, operates as a sovereign and open data AI platform tailored for enterprises, serving 2,500 global clients, including 200 Fortune 500 companies. Following a Series F funding round in October 2025, the company is monitoring public markets while maintaining its focus on growth.

“This is a thrilling time,” he added. “2026 will be the year that marks a significant shift in AI adoption among large enterprises.”

India is actively positioning itself as a significant player in AI through digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and other large-scale government initiatives. The forthcoming India AI Impact Summit is designed to highlight policy directions, industry collaborations, and talent capabilities.