Who Will Control AI Power - And Where Does India Stand? | Davos 2026

What is the best-case scenario for India in the age of artificial intelligence? AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio says India’s strength lies in going beyond simply using global AI tools and pushing the frontier through foundation models, startups and research. He warns that intelligence brings power, and nations that control advanced AI will shape the future. Bengio argues India should not try to do everything alone but build strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. On concerns around free AI models in India, he draws a sharp parallel with oil dependence, cautioning against becoming locked into a single vendor or country. Access is important, he says, but long-term success requires AI independence, strong governance and the ability to switch, contribute and lead in the next phase of AI development.