India has achieved remarkable progress in the global artificial intelligence arena, now proudly holding the third spot in Stanford University’s 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Tool, based on data from 2024. This is a notable jump from its seventh position last year, showcasing the country’s swift advancement in various aspects of AI development. With a score of 21.59, India stands slightly behind the US, which tops the index with 78.6 points, and China, which has a score of 36.95. This latest ranking highlights India’s growing prominence in AI innovation, talent development, and policy-making, placing it ahead of established economies like the United Kingdom and South Korea.
The Global AI Vibrancy Tool from Stanford University is an interactive platform that assesses and compares the robustness of national AI ecosystems. Countries are evaluated across seven essential pillars: research, talent, economic activity, policy environment, infrastructure, responsible AI, and public sentiment. India’s significant progress across multiple pillars has been instrumental in its improved ranking. The report indicates that India has achieved widespread advancements rather than excelling in just one area, reflecting a more mature and balanced AI ecosystem.
India’s rise from seventh to third position in just a year can be attributed to a robust policy framework, a burgeoning startup ecosystem, and an expanding talent pool in AI. Government initiatives aimed at bolstering AI capabilities, combined with a rise in private sector involvement and have led to tangible improvements in research output,
AI-related economic activities, and digital infrastructure. Indian startups and businesses are actively integrating AI across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, education, logistics, and e-commerce, positioning the country as one of the most vibrant AI markets among emerging economies. Analysts highlight that India’s vast digital user base and its cost-effective innovation landscape have further accelerated widespread adoption.
India’s advantage in AI talent remains a key differentiator. The country experienced the highest year-on-year growth in AI hiring globally in 2024 and has become the second largest contributor to AI-related projects on GitHub, showcasing strong engagement from developers. Additionally, India ranks among the top nations in AI skill penetration, bolstered by a large engineering workforce and increasing collaboration between academia and industry. On the policy front, the IndiaAI Mission,
which received approval from the Union Cabinet with a budget exceeding Rs 10,300 crore over five years, has been pivotal. Projects like the deployment of more than 10,000 GPUs, the creation of a national non-personal data platform, and frameworks for safe and reliable AI have fortified India’s governance and infrastructure in this domain. While challenges persist in areas like advanced research, data quality, and the depth of private investment, experts believe that a continued emphasis on innovation, responsible AI practices, and inclusive access can position India as a long-term leader in the global AI landscape.