Sridhar Vembu calls for sovereign AI in India after US curbs on AI firm

Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho, addressed the need for an Indian sovereign artificial intelligence capability. He described AI as an “ultimate weapon” for the nation’s future. Vembu highlighted recent U.S. curbs on a prominent AI company as a warning sign. He argued that reliance on foreign AI services could expose strategic vulnerabilities. The call urges the Indian government and industry to invest in home‑grown AI research. He suggested building a robust ecosystem of talent, data, and infrastructure. Vembu emphasized that a sovereign AI platform would boost economic growth and security. He urged policymakers to act quickly to keep India competitive in the global AI race.