For a long time AI was considered an arduous and less-understood science as if AI was a mountain, It could only be Scaled by the highly trained experts with advanced tools But Then along comes DeepSeek, scaling the same mountain in Chappals while wearing a pair of Bermudas.!!!
So shocking was this realization that stock markets pummelled all American AI software and hardware players, wiping around a trillion dollars off their previous value within a few days but then what about the Indian Tech Market?.How about India? A quick search of the Indian government’s Public-Private Partnership website offers zero results when one searches ‘AI’!!!!!
The AI landscape is evolving, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT leading globally and China’s DeepSeek emerging as a cost-efficient alternative. While India is a growing AI market, its technological adoption remains sluggish due to infrastructure gaps, limited AI expertise, and insufficient localized solutions.Meanwhile, the Indian government’s own dedicated AI website makes all the right noises but has little to nowhere outcomes to show.
Technology & Affordability
ChatGPT offers superior AI capabilities but at a high cost, making it less accessible for India’s startups and SMEs whereas DeepSeek, with its budget-friendly and efficient models, presents an attractive alternative for businesses struggling with AI adoption.
Localization & Language Barriers
India’s linguistic diversity demands AI models fluent in regional languages. While OpenAI has made progress, it remains slow. DeepSeek’s open-source nature allows for easier adaptation but requires local AI talent—something India currently lacks.
Industry Impact
AI in EdTech, e-commerce, healthcare, and finance is booming, but adoption is limited by technical know-how. DeepSeek’s affordability could help, but India’s AI talent shortage and regulatory hurdles slow progress.
As India faces such a Dilemma it is in an urgent need for investment and innovation adoption.
India’s weak AI infrastructure and lack of technical expertise hinder AI growth. While DeepSeek provides an alternative, the nation must bridge the tech knowledge gap to fully leverage AI potential. Without investment in AI education and infrastructure, India risks falling behind in the AI revolution.
One of the biggest reasons why India hasn’t built an AI model like DeepSeek is the lack of a protected market. In China, domestic tech firms are shielded from foreign competition, allowing them to experiment, fail, and ultimately succeed. “You need to be able to walk before you can run”. There is no protected market to practice your craft in the early days.
For India, the lesson is clear: Without sustained investment in research, a supportive environment for talent, and a long-term vision, the country risks falling further behind in the AI race. As Kamath warned, “With AI set to reshape the world, being mediocre won’t be an option.”
But the speed with which a Chinese upstart company leveraged open-source AI code to beat US bigwigs at their own game has left the world breathless!!!