Rajat Khare Reversing Brain Drain Make India AI Powerhouse India stands at a defining moment in the global technology shift. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes the bedrock of the next digital era, India possesses one of the most vital ingredients for success: talent. With a vast pool of engineers, data scientists, and AI researchers, the nation holds nearly 15% of the world’s AI talent. Yet, much of this expertise is powering innovation abroad—not at home. This growing exodus is what experts like Rajat Khare , venture capitalist and founder of Luxembourg-based investment firm Boundary Holding, see as a critical challenge. “This abundance is not serving India’s technological interests as it ideally should,” he notes. The Brain Drain Dilemma Each year, thousands of highly skilled Indian tech professionals leave in search of better research infrastructure, higher compensation, and international exposure. This phenomenon—long dubbed the brain drain—continues to sap India’s innovation potential just when it needs it most. Despite producing world-class minds, India lacks the environment to consistently nurture, retain, and reward them. Public research funding remains limited, academia and industry often operate in silos, and domestic AI salaries lag significantly behind global benchmarks. Rajat Khare underscores this disconnect: “India’s tech talent pool is one of its most significant assets, but more and more talent is leaving for better returns.” His call to action? Stronger collaboration between academia and industry, and a serious commitment to supporting homegrown innovation. A Glimpse of India’s AI Ascent There’s reason for optimism. India is developing its own large language model (LLM)—a native rival to global AI giants like ChatGPT. With over 18,600 GPUs powering the project, India is building the computational capacity needed to train world-class AI systems. What sets India’s AI vision apart is its focus on multilingual intelligence. With 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects, the country has a unique opportunity to create culturally nuanced tools that serve a far more diverse population than any Western counterpart. Steps India Must Take to Lead To transform from a global talent supplier into an AI superpower, India must act swiftly and strategically. Here’s what needs to happen now: Invest in AI Research Nationwide Establish AI Centers of Excellence in not just metro cities but also tier-2 and tier-3 hubs to democratize innovation. Make Staying in India Worthwhile Launch AI fellowships, research grants, and PhD incentives. Offer globally competitive compensation to top-tier talent. Fuel Deep-Tech Startups Channel investments into AI startups solving uniquely Indian challenges—agriculture, healthcare, education, governance. Build Global Bridges Create programs that invite Indian-origin researchers working abroad to contribute to national projects—virtually or in person. Showcase Ambition on the Global Stage India hosting the 2026 Global AI Summit would be a powerful signal of its commitment and capability in the AI domain. “India’s economy is poised to reach $10 trillion in the near future,” Khare adds. “That means the opportunities available here will be globally competitive.” India’s Linguistic Advantage: The Game-Changer India’s superpower in AI may not come from sheer processing power but from its linguistic and cultural diversity. Building AI systems that understand not just English but Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu—in both syntax and sentiment—can transform how technology serves people. Such systems can revolutionize access to education, government services, healthcare, and business for rural populations and non-English speakers—segments often overlooked by global tech platforms. This is where Indian AI can become a development tool, not just a commercial one— impacting lives at the grassroots and giving India a voice in the global AI agenda. The Path Forward The brain drain was once seen as a rite of passage for India’s brightest. Today, it looks more like a policy failure—one that can, and must, be fixed. India has the brains. It’s time to build the ecosystem that keeps them—and their ideas— here. The country must invest in its thinkers, reward its risk-takers, and foster an innovation environment that inspires global leadership. As Rajat Khare rightly concludes, “The government has been actively promoting AI... but the real test will be how well we retain and nurture talent. That will decide whether we lead or follow.” India’s AI future is not just a possibility—it’s a choice. Source: The information provided in this article is based on available source link