Artificial intelligence (AI) may look like a simple app on your phone screen, but behind every chatbot and voice assistant lies a vast and complex infrastructure. At India Today AI Summit 2026, industry leaders revealed what will truly power AI, from advanced chips and data centers to voice tools and open source platforms.
The panel discussion featured Pris Banerjee, Synopsys’ senior vice president of innovation. Samhita R, Resilience AI CEO. Keshav Reddy, Founder of Equal AI. Martin Tisne, CEO of AI Collaborative, said: Together, they discussed how India is preparing its AI backbone for rapid growth.
Banerjee explained that modern AI relies heavily on advanced chips that have become too complex for human engineers to design alone. Chips that once took two years to manufacture are now expected to be ready in about a year, with far more components packed inside. To keep up with this pace, companies are using AI-powered “agent engineers,” software systems that help automate chip design and optimize data center power and cooling. He also pointed to the future of “physical AI,” where machines can model real-world physics to design aircraft, buildings, and other complex systems.
Reddy highlighted the rapidly growing demand for consumer AI in India, especially voice-based assistants. However, delivering real-time AI at scale requires powerful computing infrastructure and specialized processors, an area where India is still developing capabilities. He believes that simple, voice-first, multilingual tools will drive the next wave of adoption.
Tisne emphasized that AI infrastructure is not just about hardware. Data systems and open source software are equally important. He said that while open platforms make AI more transparent and adaptable, stronger data governance is needed, especially in sensitive sectors such as healthcare.
Samhita R focused on sustainability, noting that the new data center is designed to be more energy efficient and climate resilient. She added that human oversight remains essential, especially in high-risk areas such as disaster management.
The panel agreed that with the right combination of infrastructure, open technology, and user-friendly design, AI could soon become a part of the daily lives of millions of Indians.
