India is using more AI than ever. But most of that intelligence is not Indian. OpenAI, Google and others are expanding in India fast. They already shape how millions work, learn, and search.

Meanwhile, India’s own sovereign AI model is only expected in 2026. Other countries like South Korea and China have already built and deployed theirs.

What does sovereign AI actually mean, why does it matter for everyday users and why is India is still struggling to build the full stack. And most importantly, who will build the AI that runs India’s future?

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