India's AI Future: Green Growth or Resource Drain?

India is charting a unique course for artificial intelligence development, aiming for a resource-efficient and sustainable model. This approach, discussed at the nation's first AI Impact Summit, emphasizes public purpose and environmental accountability from the outset. The country seeks to avoid the pitfalls of AI's significant resource demands, such as electricity and water consumption, by integrating sustainability into core AI governance.

The summit highlighted AI's dual role as both a powerful tool for climate action and a potential strain on resources. India's strategy involves embedding environmental disclosures for AI systems, aligning infrastructure with local resource realities, and treating climate-relevant data as digital public infrastructure. Furthermore, significant investment in reskilling millions for emerging green value chains is seen as critical for responsible AI deployment.

This initiative positions India to lead the Global South in shaping AI norms, demonstrating that technological advancement can coexist with ecological preservation. The nation's past successes in global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance suggest a capacity to translate ambitious principles into practical, long-lasting strategies that benefit both growth and sustainability.