Reliance on borrowed algorithms for AI could cost India its autonomy: Former foreign secretary

Pune: India will have to trade off autonomy for efficiency if it relies entirely on borrowed algorithms for using artificial intelligence, said former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao on Saturday."Technological sovereignty is not given. It has to be built. AI, semiconductor fabrication, telecom architecture, space and cybersecurity capabilities are not commercial luxuries but are sovereignty platforms. We have to master the AI stack from GPUs to data governance to applications. Because if we rely solely on borrowed algorithms we may gain efficiency but lose autonomy," she said while speaking at the Asia Economic Dialogue organised by Pune International Centre.
Rao said the future world is not going to be led by those who command armies but by those who command algorithms, data ecosystem, rare minerals and energy grids. "Foreign policy ultimately rests on domestic strength. Infrastructure, energy security, public health systems, financial stability and social cohesion are not merely internal concerns as these factors shape external credibility."India must continue deep global engagement through free trade agreements that "we have negotiated and concluded", she said. The country needs to secure supply chain partnerships, capital flows but reduce concentrated vulnerabilities, Rao said."This is where diversification of energy sources matters. Competing trade agreements with major economic partners, strengthening ties with ASEAN, Africa and Latin America are essential," the former foreign secretary said.Rao said supply chains should be diversified geographically and technologically. Supply chains are a lattice that India seeks to build to absorb shocks to deal with over-dependency or coercion, she said.Rao identified key drivers of turbulence such as renewed great power rivalry, weaponisation of interdependence, erosion of institutional guardrails, climate change, pandemics, and domestic political pressures reinforcing nationalism. "At a time like this, India can shape the changing trends of globalisation and not just be a passive bystander as it is not a middle power but a pivotal state."