Washington, Feb 14 (NationPress) Artificial intelligence is at a pivotal moment on a global scale, and for India to spearhead the upcoming industrial revolution, it must recognize data as its 'next oil', stated Sunil Pal, Head of AI GPU Allocation at AMD, prior to the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

“The year 2026 is pivotal for AI,” Pal informed IANS, characterizing the technological wave initiated by ChatGPT's launch in 2022 as 'akin to the fourth industrial revolution.'

He noted that nations are competing to seize opportunities in a market expected to grow to $1.7 trillion by 2031.

“Everyone is striving to see how they can capitalize on AI,” he mentioned, emphasizing that 'data is the key.'

Pal highlighted that the summit in India coincides with a time when governments and organizations worldwide are assessing strategies to enhance AI infrastructure and applications.

He identified three significant strengths of India: 'AI talent and engineering depth,' a 'global digital backbone,' and a transition 'from services to a strategic innovation hub.'

India boasts 'one of the largest AI and digital engineering talent pools', enabling businesses to scale AI efficiently and cost-effectively.

According to him, the nation plays a crucial role in managing global enterprise platforms, cybersecurity operations, analytics, and AI development. Indian tech companies are 'well-positioned to recognize and adapt to changing trends.'

He also mentioned that India is evolving into areas such as 'AI research, product engineering, semiconductor design, and global capability centers.' With a population of '1.2 billion,' the country holds a natural scale advantage.

However, Pal cautioned that the required infrastructure will determine whether India can translate this potential into leadership.

“To establish data centers, the availability of power is a major constraint,” he remarked. 'High-quality electricity is crucial.'

He advised that governments should adopt a long-term vision and invest in dependable, affordable energy sources such as hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar power. 'This is not a short-term endeavor.' Countries need to 'adopt a holistic view and play the long game.'

Constructing data centers necessitates extensive planning, land acquisition, and regulatory approvals. Pal pointed out that even in the United States, such projects involve numerous public consultations and clearances. Similar processes in India will demand time.

Nevertheless, he reiterated that compute infrastructure is not restricted to a single location. It is 'agnostic to geography,' he noted, capable of being deployed in one area and utilized elsewhere or globally via the internet.

Regarding global competition, Pal observed that the United States currently holds a stronger position in AI, but 'China is not far behind.' He recalled his visit to Beijing in 2018, noting the level of automation and AI integration even at that time.

China's strategy, he remarked, signifies a 'very concentrated effort.' However, he emphasized that AI remains in its nascent stages across the globe. 'AI is presently in its early days,' he stated, pointing out how nations from Singapore to Dubai and throughout Europe are advancing swiftly.

For India, the key is to remain vigilant and proactive. 'You must keep your eyes and ears open,' he advised, assessing how AI can be woven into an economy that is already among the largest in the world.

Pal also countered the perception that AI serves merely as a cost-cutting mechanism. 'It is evolving into a revenue driver through hyper-personalization, predictive insights, and digital business models.'

In the healthcare sector, he elaborated, AI can streamline options and expedite research cycles. Processes that previously required large teams and extended timelines can now be made more efficient. 'Machines are learning at an unprecedented pace.'

At the same time, he underscored the importance of data quality. 'Providing poor information results in poor outcomes.'

Looking five years ahead, Pal expressed that although he doesn't possess a 'crystal ball,' he believes that technology is still in its 'infancy stage.' He likened the current moment of AI to the early days of the steam engine, the internet, and the smartphone.

Each of these innovations, he asserted, transformed industries and spawned trillion-dollar companies. AI signifies a similar turning point.

'If you don’t embrace it, you will lag behind, and nobody wants to be left behind.'

Describing the India AI Impact Summit as 'a positive development,' Pal remarked that New Delhi’s focus on semiconductors and digital infrastructure is long overdue. He drew a comparison to the oil-rich economies of the previous century.

'Data is the next oil,' he stated. With the appropriate ecosystem, talent, and infrastructure, he posited that India can convert this resource into enduring economic strength.

The India AI Impact Summit follows similar events in London and France and occurs as governments globally ramp up investments in AI chips, data centers, and research. India has initiated incentives for semiconductor manufacturing and digital infrastructure, aiming to establish itself as a significant player in the global AI supply chain.

As geopolitical rivalry escalates over advanced technologies, New Delhi aims to leverage its engineering foundation and digital scalability to position itself as a key center in the next phase of AI-driven growth.