Syllabus:
GS3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Context:
Trends — Artificial Intelligence Report (2025 highlights India as a major player in AI adoption
More on the News
- Venture capitalist Mary Meeker, known as the ‘Queen of the Internet,’ has released her first major trends report since 2019.
- The report, titled ‘Trends — Artificial Intelligence,’ highlights the unprecedented pace and scope of AI development and adoption.
- Meeker describes AI’s evolution as “unprecedented”, particularly in terms of declining usage costs and an adoption curve unlike any previous technology disruption.
Key Highlights of the Report
- AI adoption has outpaced previous tech revolutions:
- Key global social media platforms took 2–4 years to reach 100 million users.
- ChatGPT achieved the same milestone in less than 3 months.
- Based on Morgan Stanley data:
- It took 6–12 years for 50% of US households to adopt mobile/desktop internet.
- It is projected to take only 3 years for the same share of households to adopt AI platforms.
- Despite high user growth, revenue per user remains low, with a median of $23.
- The report flags major concerns in AI development:
- Hallucinations
- Biases
- Misinformation
- Slow regulatory progress
India’s Role in the Global AI Landscape
- India’s large digital population and mobile-first internet habits have helped it become a crucial consumer market for global AI platforms.
- Due to its large population and high internet penetration, India has become a crucial market for AI adoption.
- India is the largest market for ChatGPT, contributing: 13.5% of mobile app users, ahead of the US (8.9%) and Germany (3%).
- India also ranks:
- Third-largest user base (6.9%) for DeepSeek, a Chinese AI platform.
- Despite DeepSeek’s rivals like ChatGPT being banned in China and Russia, India contributes significantly to both Western and Chinese AI platforms.
Closed vs. Open Source AI Models
The Dual AI Development Path
- Meeker highlights a philosophical split in AI development:
- Open Source: Represents freedom, speed, openness, and community-led innovation.
- Closed Source: Emphasizes control, safety, optimization, and corporate/government adoption.
- This divergence is shaping:
- The future of AI architecture
- Who has access to powerful AI tools
- The direction of global innovation and regulation
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Discuss the key trends highlighted in the ‘Trends — Artificial Intelligence’ report (2025) with reference to India’s role in global AI adoption. How does the open-source vs. closed-source AI development model impact the future of innovation and regulation?