Dr Ajay Kumar

25/07/2026

A memorable milestone in the journey of 𝗔𝗜 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿.
I was delighted that the second edition of the book was launched on 22 July at the 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, organised by the KarnatakaDigitalEconomy Mission (KDEM) and ACS FOUNDATION as part of the Beyond Bengaluru initiative.

The launch took place in the presence of more than 100 industry leaders and distinguished guests, including Shri Mohandas Pai, Shri B.V. Naidu (President, KDEM), Shri Sanjeev Gupta (CEO, KDEM), Shri Santosh Huralikoppi(Chief Mentor, ACS Foundation), Shri Sudhanva Dhananjaya (CMD, Excelsoft Technologies), and H.E. Peter Winther-Schmidt, Consul General of Denmark in Bengaluru.

I am deeply grateful to KDEM and ACS Foundation for providing such a wonderful platform and honoured that these eminent leaders joined us to mark the occasion. Being felicitated with the traditional 𝙈𝙮𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙖, a cherished symbol of honour in Karnataka, is a distinction I will treasure for many years to come.

The second edition includes two new chapters that reflect the rapid evolution of AI and its implications for India's journey towards becoming an AI power.

Sharing a few moments from this memorable evening.

20/07/2026

I look forward to sharing some thoughts on my book when the second edition of 𝗔𝗜 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 is unveiled at the 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲—an initiative of the Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and Beyond Bengaluru, with the support of ACS FOUNDATION, and in association with ASSOCHAM, IESA, NASSCOM and STPI.
My sincere thanks to the organisers for this opportunity.
Looking forward to the event on 22 July 2026.

16/07/2026

Grateful and humbled to see the second edition of my book, "AI Nation: Bharat's Path to AI Power", once again reach #1 in Amazon's Robotics & AI category.

The first edition, released in January 2026, remained at the top of the charts for much of its first three months. It is truly heartening to see the second edition (with two new chapters) receive a similarly encouraging response.

This recognition belongs as much to all the readers, reviewers, and well-wishers who have supported the book and helped spread the word. My sincere thanks to each one of you.

Check it out
AI Nation: Bharat's Path to AI Power

15/07/2026

It was a profound privilege to present a copy of my book, 𝗔𝗜 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Hon'ble Prime Minister's visionary leadership has been central in advancing India's AI agenda and creating an enabling ecosystem for innovation.

I hope this book contributes, in its own small way, to the ongoing national conversation on harnessing AI for a 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘉𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵.



06/07/2026

I am delighted to share that the Second Edition of my book, 𝘼𝙄 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙄 𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧, is now available on Amazon.

The overwhelming response to the first edition—from policymakers, industry leaders, academics, students, and readers across the world—has been both humbling and deeply encouraging. Many thoughtful discussions and valuable feedback also highlighted the need to address some of the rapid developments in the AI landscape.

The second edition therefore includes 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨, one which deals with what happens to governance as the world moves from an era of scarcity to an era of surplus in AI age. The other discusses regarding the progress the world made in the India AI Summit held in Delhi in February 2026.

I hope this updated edition will contribute to a deeper understanding of how India can harness this transformative technology while safeguarding its strategic interests.

The book is now available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0GL5DRVQJ/?bestFormat=true&k=ai%20nation%20bharat%27s%20path%20to%20ai%20power&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ser_k0_1_8_de&crid=2W98XL557EEAE&sprefix=ai%20natio

I look forward to your continued feedback and reviews.

03/07/2026

National sovereignty will increasingly be shaped not just by control over territory, but by who controls a nation's data, digital infrastructure, and AI.

Today, the world's digital ecosystem is dominated by the United States and China. Their platforms host our data, power our communications, and underpin everything from commerce to AI. Recent events have shown that once these platforms become deeply embedded in a country's economy and society, reclaiming digital sovereignty becomes extremely difficult.

My article, "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲," published in today's 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙙 (3 July 2026), examines why data sovereignty has become one of the defining strategic issues of our time and explores what India and other middle powers can do to strengthen their digital sovereignty.

The article is available online under the title "The Great Data Game: Why Data Sovereignty Matters More Than Ever Before."
https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/the-great-data-game-why-data-sovereignty-matters-more-than-ever-before-126070201300_1.html

12/06/2026

The post-Cold War arms order is changing. Japan is rearming, Russia is constrained, China is expanding, and buyers are seeking strategic autonomy. Where does India fit into this new landscape? My latest piece titled 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿? appears in 𝗕𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 today (June 12, 2026). A copy of the same is attached for ready reading.

An online version titled “A fragmented arms market offers India a chance to gain influence” is also available at https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/a-fragmented-arms-market-offers-india-a-chance-to-gain-influence-126061101416_1.html

09/06/2026

In my conversation with Kanu Sarada of The Week, based on my book 𝗔𝗜 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, we explore how AI will reshape education, jobs, governance, and national competitiveness—and what India must do to emerge not merely as a user of AI, but as a leader in it.
Sharing the interview here. I hope you find it interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KE1oH5npRk

In his book, AI Nation: Bharat’s Path to AI Power, Dr Ajay Kumar, c...

06/06/2026

It was a privilege to participate in the 12th Undergraduate Convocation of IIT Jodhpur, an institution quickly becoming one of India’s most promising new-generation IITs. ✨
The day was truly special: the excitement of graduates stepping into a bright new future, the emotional pride of their parents, and the well-earned celebration of the medal winners.
In my Convocation Address, I shared three key messages with the graduating class:
• Knowledge without wisdom is incomplete.
• Creating value, innovation, jobs, and wealth is one of the highest forms of national service.
• Neither you, nor India, are destined to be second best.
Heartiest congratulations Class of 2026!
Best wishes for phenomenal success in years ahead!!

02/06/2026

Thrilled to see 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 discuss my book 𝘼𝙄 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙄 𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧.
https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2026/05/30/future-of-exams-will-emphasise-skills-that-ai-cannot-easily-replicate-dr-ajay-kumar-upsc-chairman.html

We dived into AI’s impact on education, jobs, governance & policy. And the big question: How can India move from being an AI consumer to a sovereign AI power?
Adoption isn’t enough. We need strong institutions, infrastructure & vision to lead.
Grateful to The Week!

In ‘AI Nation: Bharat’s Path to AI Power’, Dr Ajay Kumar, chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, presents AI as a transformative force that will redefine governance, education and economic growth