Github Analysis Reveals India as an Emerging AI Superpower

A new analysis of code-sharing platform GitHub reveals that India outperforms the US when it comes to writing AI code. Another contender has emerged in the AI ​​race, according to new data analysis from the OECD on Microsoftown's code-sharing platform GitHub. India has succeeded in equipping its vast technical talent base with AI skills. Data is collected from publicly available AI-related code repositories or repositories hosted on the platform.

Examining the contributions or “promise” to these AI repositories reveals that  India overtook the United States as the primary source of AI-related code in 2019. In 2020, it accounted for 30% of all transactions, twice that of the United States. According to the OECD, Chinese developers may  be underrepresented on GitHub, which launched their own counterparts last year,  but they are not missing.

It also reflects the incentive to upgrade the skills of India's huge tech talent base, pioneered by  IT services companies. India is not alone in benefiting from the recent development of  the Indian economy. “We always talk about  two main players. But India is in third place, so  it's time to turn our attention in this direction as well.  Luis Aranda, AI policy analyst at the OECD, said the data shows that India's AI capabilities are underestimated.

According to CSET's analysis, there are five AI labs in India, among the four AI companies in the US  (Facebook, Google, Microsoft and IBM). All five are involved in  experimental development of artificial intelligence solutions. "There's a problem with the supercomputers and PhD staff needed for advanced AI research, but in terms of economic benefits [from AI] and who does the most," said Husan Chahal, research analyst at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technologies (CSET).

India has a big role to play." The IT services industry is no longer the only career path offered to tech talent in India. Turnover rates for some major IT service providers are off the charts, from 1,015% (annual employee turnover) to 30%, or in some cases up to 50%.

The startup sector in India has seen an explosion in investment. According to Crunchbase, Indian startups have secured $28 billion in venture capital over the past 12 months, ranking fourth behind the US, China and the UK. AI startups are particularly well-funded. According to CSET, investment in  AI startups in India grew faster  than  any other market in 2019.