India Ranks Third Globally in AI: A Talent-Driven Leap Behind Only the US and China

India has secured the third spot in the global AI rankings, released by Stanford University, following the United States and China. Surpassing several advanced nations, including the UK, India’s rise in artificial intelligence (AI) is being attributed to its abundant talent pool and positive public outlook toward AI technologies.

India’s AI Ranking
The 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Report, published by Stanford University’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute, placed India third worldwide in AI development. With a score of 21.59, India has shown significant improvement from last year, leaving behind countries with long-established AI ecosystems. The ranking considers seven key dimensions, including research, talent, infrastructure, policy, public opinion, and responsible AI practices.

The Talent Factor
The primary reason for India’s high rank is its world-class talent. The report notes that India leads globally in AI skills, with young engineers rapidly mastering cutting-edge technologies. Cities like Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru have emerged as AI hubs, where professionals work round-the-clock on innovative projects. India ranks second globally in contributions to AI projects on GitHub. While the US and China benefit from heavy government funding, India’s achievement is driven largely by human capital, showcasing that the country is no longer just a support hub but a creator of original AI technologies.

Public Perception of AI in India
Unlike many Western countries, where AI is often associated with job losses and risks, India views AI as a tool for social good. AI is being used in villages for early disease detection, dissemination of government schemes, and language translation. Public opinion scores in the report highlight India’s favorable view of AI. Additionally, responsible AI initiatives, supported by regulations like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, are enhancing global confidence in India’s safe and ethical AI development.

Challenges Ahead
Despite the commendable ranking, India faces notable challenges. Advanced AI requires high-performance computing chips (GPUs), and India still lags behind the US and China in this area. AI model training demands thousands of GPUs, which are currently limited in India. To address this, the government has launched the “India AI Mission,” allocating ₹10,300 crore and providing subsidies for GPU procurement.

Looking Forward
With growing expertise and recognition, India is poised to play a more active role in shaping global AI standards rather than merely following them. Foreign companies are increasingly considering India as a “China-plus-one” destination for AI research centers, attracted by the country’s abundant talent. As India strengthens its AI infrastructure, its influence on global AI policy, especially for developing nations, is expected to expand significantly.