The Biden administration’s newly established National Artificial Intelligence Initiative office prioritizes working with U.S. allies and partners as part of its agenda, reflecting a broader understanding that allies are essential to U.S. ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI). India is a key strategic partner for the United States, rooted in democratic values, committed to responsible development and use of emerging technologies, and a nation with considerable potential in AI. Indeed, the United States and India already cooperate on AI research and development through platforms like the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) that recently launched a U.S.-India Artificial Intelligence (USIAI) Partnership.

That said, India’s tech talent diaspora is perhaps one of the most critical and currently underrecognized resources for a mutually beneficial partnership on AI between the two countries. Indian talent moving to the United States is uniquely a win-win for both countries and can play a crucial role in advancing both India’s and the United States’ AI ambitions.

India has a massive pool of tech talent. A recent report by Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) evaluating India’s AI capabilities emphasized that the country produces almost seven times as many bachelor’s level engineering graduates as the United States, and almost twice as many master’s level engineering graduates. But poor job growth, substandard infrastructural facilities, and the bad shape of its higher education sector means India currently lacks the right environment to nurture this talent at the doctoral level and offer subsequent employment opportunities.

Read the full article at The Diplomat.