New Delhi, January 12 (IANS). India is trying to establish itself as an AI leader globally and Budget 2026 should focus on increasing safe and indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI). This information was given by industry experts on Monday.
Experts said that the government should focus on increasing indigenous AI in Budget 2026, especially in the financial sector, as this is an area where trust and security are very important.
Experts further said that according to government estimates, AI can contribute up to $1.7 trillion to India’s economy by 2035, with banking and financial services being some of the key sectors that will benefit from its integration. AI plays a vital role in India’s digital financial system, helping in real-time fraud detection, risk assessment and conversation support; However, most of the basic models and platforms are foreign, with no specific focus on India.
Currently, about 87 percent of Indian businesses use AI in various ways, but only 26 percent have reached maturity at scale, highlighting the gap between adoption and innovation.
According to experts, the Budget 2026 should clearly encourage the creation of local AI models and create computing infrastructure that meets local language, regulatory and security standards. Greater funding for programs like the IndiaAI Mission and special incentives for AI research and development in India, such as tax credits and grants for foundational model training, will drive innovation.
Apart from this, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed on Monday that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1. This time the budget will be presented on Sunday.
The usual date of presenting the Budget, February 1, falls on a Sunday this year, so there was some uncertainty over the exact date.
–IANS
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