India is pushing an ambitious strategy to build and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across the entire technology stack, aiming to drive innovation not only at home but also to make an impact on the global stage, according to Ericsson’s senior vice president and chief technology officer Erik Ekudden. The goal, highlighted at the India AI Summit, is to develop a strong indigenous ecosystem that supports advanced AI use cases while fostering international collaboration.
A core focus of this strategy is the evolution of network infrastructure. AI is already being used to optimise existing 5G networks, and the future roadmap points toward AI-native 6G networks, which are expected to be essential for supporting next-generation AI systems — including autonomous AI agents and physical AI like robots and humanoids. According to Ekudden, fully harnessing these technologies depends on robust AI-powered connectivity and networks capable of handling increasingly complex data demands.
India’s approach combines local innovation with global collaboration, bringing together tech firms, ecosystem partners, and academic institutions to ensure that breakthroughs in AI benefit both Indian enterprises and the wider international community. The strategy reflects a belief that AI — by its nature — thrives on global exchange and shared development, making cooperation with international players a key part of India’s plan to stay at the forefront of technological progress.
The India AI Summit itself underscored this international push, hosting top leaders from major technology companies and drawing significant industry attention. Discussions ranged from generative AI and agentic systems to governance and the future of jobs, reinforcing India’s commitment to become a significant hub in the global AI ecosystem.
