AI Push Vital For India’s Security

• 23 Jul 2025
• TM Team
• 0 Comments

India must take decisive action to harness artificial intelligence in the interests of national security, according to a recent report by Nexgen Exhibitions. Drawing on the responses of more than 200 companies across 15 cities, the study found that 86 per cent of participants believe the country needs stronger government intervention, including funding and incentives, to leverage AI for border defence, cybersecurity, and electronic warfare.

In an era marked by mounting threats conducted over the digital frontier, this resounding consensus highlights the urgency of building AI resilience within national defence systems. With India having reported over 2.3 million cybersecurity incidents in 2024—culminating in estimated losses of Rs 1,200 crore—the imperative for modernising the nation’s security infrastructure is clear.

The proliferation of advanced cyber-attacks, phishing schemes and information-warfare tactics positions AI not merely as an optional tool, but as essential infrastructure. The report urges that without a state-led agenda to support AI in these domains, India risks falling behind adversaries already investing heavily in autonomous, machine-augmented security systems.

Just 14 per cent of respondents saw public-private partnerships as a viable route to bridge critical technology gaps, but many stressed that policy shortcomings remain a significant obstacle. The report calls for a national AI security framework tailored to defence applications, fiscal incentives for domestic AI research and adoption in strategic sectors, and clear regulatory guidance to facilitate ethical deployment without stifling innovation.

In a related development, Nexgen Exhibitions announced that the 10th International Police Expo, scheduled for 31 July–1 August in Delhi, will spotlight cutting-edge security technologies. Aadhar Bansal, the expo’s director, stated that this event will underscore the urgent need for proactive government support and collaboration in AI to enhance national security.

National security is evolving rapidly, shaped by hybrid conflicts where digital assaults are as threatening as physical incursions. India’s digital defences must therefore be equipped with AI—capable of anticipating threats, neutralising infiltration attempts, and defending critical infrastructure in real-time.

Without a centralised, tailored AI-security policy, fragmented responses from private entities may lead to patchwork solutions—leaving strategic vulnerabilities unaddressed. The Nexgen report posits that state policy can act as a catalyst, pushing innovation while maintaining oversight and accountability.

The government is encouraged to adopt a multi-pronged strategy: crafting a national AI security blueprint, mobilising capital and incentives to private AI innovators, building strategic public-private partnerships—particularly in defence and cybersecurity—and ensuring ethical governance to avoid misuse or unchecked deployment.

If India can marshal investment, policy clarity, and institutional support, it could establish a home-grown AI defence ecosystem equipped to counter evolving threats and uphold national security—without sacrificing sovereignty or ethical standards.