India has a vast talent pool and a burgeoning start-up scene which, if properly tapped and encouraged, could not only provide indigenous military solutions, but could also create significant domestic expertise, which could then be exported.

India cannot and will not compete with China in the AI realm—instead it will play to its advantages by becoming a global AI hub for non-Chinese and non-Western markets.

Last year, the Union ministry of commerce constituted a task force to look at how Artificial Intelligence can be leveraged for India’s economic growth.

The controversies surrounding autonomous weapons must not obscure the fact that like most technologies, AI has a number of non-lethal uses for militaries across the world, and especially for the Indian military.

It is necessary to move past the idea of artificial intelligence being a replacement for humans across the board, and begin having a deeper conversation about its effectiveness as a tool in the hands of humans.

Leveraging Japanese expertise in robotic manufacturing and channelling local software talent would allow India to come to terms with a fast changing global economic scenario, where automation will rule the roost.

Given the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming years, India must keep a wary eye on Chinese developments in this field, and develop its own strategic vision of how AI technologies can be harnessed to advance its interests.

India needs to craft a more streamlined regulatory system and take other concrete steps to support growth in its domestic biotech sector.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, both the greatest opportunities and the biggest threats emanate from the digital and technological space.

It is necessary to be open-eyed and clear-headed about the practical benefits and risks associated with the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence.