Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said India’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors has begun delivering tangible results, with AI applications recording nearly 33 per cent growth.
Addressing the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Jaipur, the minister said the pace of AI integration reflects the scale at which the technology is being deployed across industries.
Vaishnaw said the government has launched the India AI Mission to strengthen the country’s position in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem. He emphasised the role of youth in driving this transition, stating that a programme to train 10 lakh young people in AI skills has been initiated, with Rajasthan serving as the launch state.
“The objective is to equip young people with AI skills so that they can apply the technology in their daily work, especially in small businesses, to enhance productivity,” the minister said.
Explaining the structure of India’s AI ecosystem, Vaishnaw said it is built on a five-layer architecture. He said the first layer is the application layer, where IT companies are developing AI-driven solutions for industrial use.
The second layer comprises AI models, with over one million open-source models currently available worldwide, supporting innovation and productivity. The third layer includes chips and semiconductors, an area witnessing rapid progress through major investments in computing infrastructure.
Vaishnaw said the fourth layer is data centres, with investments estimated at around 70 billion US dollars, forming a critical backbone for India’s digital and AI infrastructure. The fifth layer, energy, he said, will play a decisive role in sustaining AI growth in the coming years.
Highlighting the importance of reliable power for advanced technologies, the minister said steps have been taken to promote nuclear energy through proposed legislation, positioning it as a key source of clean and dependable energy.
He said the integration of all five layers will form the foundation of India’s long-term artificial intelligence strategy and support sustainable technological development.
Vaishnaw said India is moving forward with a clear vision on artificial intelligence under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the country’s strong IT ecosystem playing a central role in the technology-driven era.
He also noted that the AI Impact Summit, previously hosted in the United Kingdom, South Korea and France, is now set to be held in India.
-Ani
