AI, EVs, and semiconductors: The tech trio shaping India’s blueprint for 2047

The AI Revolution

Let us kick things off with AI, which has the potential to revolutionise industries, improve governance, and enhance everyday life, say experts. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, says as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, India is uniquely positioned to harness AI’s potential. “Generative AI’s rapid diffusion is transforming boardrooms to classrooms... We envision a future where every student has a personalised tutor, and every person can access personalised medical advice,” he says, adding that India has the twin advantages of a young population and a large developer base. And with 76% of enterprises focussed on Gen AI investments and with 1.5 million engineering graduates passing out annually, the market is poised to transition from the “information revolution” to the “intelligence revolution” by skilling its workforce in AI, he adds.

Rajiv Kumar, MD of Microsoft India Development Center, agrees. “AI’s growth will evolve from basic language models to advanced ones, excelling in analytical, emotional, and action intelligence, moving India towards its goal of being an AI-first nation,” he says.

AI’s role in addressing India’s unique challenges such as urbanisation and climate change is also significant. Chandok points to initiatives like the Jugalbandi project, an AI-driven chatbot that bridges language barriers and enhances access to government services. “With over one-sixth of the global population residing in India, AI’s integration into India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) is crucial. For this to manifest, a skilling-first approach is essential to ensure citizens can thrive in the AI-driven economy,” he explains.

Jaspreet Bindra, Founder of consulting firm Tech Whisperer, says that by 2047, India will have figured out how to provide AI to every citizen.

Digital Backbone

Industry watchers say semiconductors will be the backbone of India’s technological and economic growth. Hitesh Garg, Vice President and India Country Manager of NXP Semiconductors, says this sector can significantly contribute to India’s GDP by 2047, enabling a robust electronics system design and manufacturing ecosystem and generating annual revenue of more than $1 trillion, while creating millions of jobs. However, building a robust ecosystem will require overcoming significant challenges. “The key challenges include a robust supply chain, adequate workforce, and infrastructure, while opportunities lie in leveraging India’s large market and government incentives,” says Garg.

Prabhu Ram, Vice President-Industry Research Group at CyberMedia Research, believes that the semiconductor industry will be a lynchpin in India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. “Developing and manufacturing advanced chips will fuel innovation, enhancing national competitiveness, economic growth, and security. This, in turn, has the potential to contribute to high-skilled jobs, advancement in tech skills, and position India as a key global technology hub,” he says.

Sustainable Mobility

The transition to EVs is another critical aspect. Maxson Lewis, Founder & CEO of electric mobility solutions company Magenta Mobility, envisions a future where “every vehicle on the road is sustainable and, hence, electric”. He predicts that by 2040, India’s EV landscape will have evolved significantly, with vehicles not only consuming electricity but also supporting the grid through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, with 25% of all vehicles having this capability.

Lewis talks about the broader ecosystem required to support the EV revolution. “The infrastructure for EVs is often mistaken as only involving charging infrastructure… [this] includes multiple components [like]... the distribution network, generation capacity, and technology around charging, as well as manufacturing capacities in India,” he says.

Pankaj Sharma, Co-founder & Director of EV battery maker Log9 Materials, shares a similar vision. “India is poised to become completely energy independent by 2047, which would entail an electric grid that would be majorly powered by renewable energy, making it the cleanest grid in the world,” he says, stressing on the need for substantial infrastructure development in the EV space.

Gaurav Gupta, Chief Growth Officer at carmaker JSW MG Motor India, points to the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions. “Our goal is for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) to constitute significantly in our total vehicle sales by 2030, with this trend expected to continue and potentially increase by 2047,” Gupta says. He also emphasises the importance of promoting a circular economy in the sector. “Through initiatives like Project REVIVE, launched in partnership with TERI, Lohum, and BatX, we are repurposing EV batteries for use in schools and community centres, extending battery life and supporting underserved communities while promoting sustainability.”

The Road Ahead

While the future looks promising, there are several challenges. A key one is the need for significant investment in infrastructure, particularly in the semiconductor and EV sectors. “Building a robust semiconductor ecosystem requires massive investment in infrastructure, talent development, and supply chain resilience. The government’s Semiconductor Mission is a good start, but we need more policy support and industry collaboration to attract global players,” says Garg of NXP.

Sharma of Log9 echoes this. “Currently, India relies heavily on imports for lithium-ion cells and other key materials. We need to build a self-reliant supply chain to reduce our dependency on imports and make EVs more affordable and accessible,” he says.

Gupta of JSW MG Motor India highlights the need for greater collaboration. “We need strong partnerships between automotive manufacturers, technology companies, and government bodies to drive the adoption of these technologies and create a sustainable future for India,” he says.

Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of optimism among industry leaders and experts, who believe that by 2047, India will be a global leader in AI, EVs, and semiconductors. “These technologies will not only drive economic growth but also help us address some of our most pressing challenges, from climate change to digital inclusion,” says Kumar of MSIDC. He adds that with the right investments and policy support, “we can achieve our vision of a technologically advanced, economically vibrant, and socially inclusive India”. 

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