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Vivek Wadhwa

Articles by Vivek Wadhwa

Breaking myths about India’s AI capabilities

India doesn’t need Silicon Valley’s playbook. It has the creativity, vision, and talent to write its own story of innovation — one the world can no longer afford to ignore

India’s challenges — limited resources, linguistic diversity, and infrastructure gaps — aren’t weaknesses. They are the catalysts that fuel its ingenuity (Getty Images)

Opinion

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 08:37 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Within India’s paradoxes,seeds of transformation

While Indians marvel at foreign shores during vacations, they ignore their own land’s unmatched history, spirituality, and beauty

In today’s world, busyness is celebrated as a virtue, while stillness is often misunderstood as passivity. (PTI Photo) (PTI11_23_2024_000321A) (PTI)

Opinion

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 08:15 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

The choice before us: Star Trek or Mad Max

The world is at a crossroads. If we channel resources to ensure equality, manage risks, and enhance autonomy, we can navigate toward a future where technology is a force for good

FILE PHOTO: An AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo (REUTERS)

Opinion

Updated on Dec 30, 2024 08:15 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

IIT Madras has a digital human brain atlas ready

Researchers at IIT Madras are embarking on a journey that could fundamentally change how we approach both medicine and AI.

The brain atlas also represents a new model for innovation in India, where affordability and scalability are essential (Representative Image) (Unsplash)

Opinion

Published on Dec 16, 2024 08:16 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Taking stock of a new wave of AI revolution

Apple's paper suggests large language models (LLMs) are nearing their limits, sparking concerns among AI experts.

Opinion

Updated on Dec 03, 2024 09:26 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Why Indian-Americans Are Breaking from the Democrats

For a community rooted in hard work, education, and family unity, this shift feels like a departure from the values that have been central to their success in America

Indian-Americans, like many across the US, are increasingly uneasy with what they perceive as the Democratic Party’s fixation on progressive social issues over pragmatic, results-oriented policies. (ANI)

World News

Updated on Nov 07, 2024 10:22 AM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

What is innovation? Lessons from AI’s Nobel controversy

Vivek Wadhwa writes: The myth of the lone genius dominates public narratives, leading us to believe that major breakthroughs occur in isolation

While Geoffrey Hinton’s recognition is deserved, it underscores a common flaw in how credit is distributed: the contributions of early pioneers often fade from view. (AFP)

India News

Updated on Oct 12, 2024 12:52 AM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

On semiconductor mission, learn from China’s missteps

India’s large pool of highly educated workers is a strength, but the country must invest in developing specialised skills in chip design, fabrication, and semiconductor equipment maintenance

FILE PHOTO: Semiconductor chips are seen on a printed circuit board in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo (REUTERS)

Opinion

Published on Sep 19, 2024 08:46 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Team-builders better for business than tyrants

Adopting a leadership style that emphasises collaboration and empowerment can lead to numerous long-term benefits. It creates a more positive work environment

(FILES) Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella discusses Microsoft's platform for businesses to tap into the US software titan's computing platform in the Internet

Opinion

Published on Aug 22, 2024 09:27 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Indian immigrants’ tale: Integration sans erasure

In a world increasingly divided by cultural and political differences, the success of Indians in politics serves as a beacon of hope.

San Francisco: Indian-Americans gather outside the Consulate General of India in support of India, in San Francisco, USA. (PTI Photo (PTI)(HT_PRINT)

Opinion

Published on Aug 05, 2024 12:13 AM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

For startups, India is the place to be

With talent ready to work at a fraction of Silicon Valley salaries and pathology data widely available, India has the ecosystem to build world-class tech

Recruiting quality AI talent is another challenge.(Mint archive)

opinion

Published on Nov 07, 2023 10:54 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

India should build its own ChatGPT

India has already taken strides in space research and cancer care. It can reap enormous benefits by spurring AI innovation

AI is a public good, and the best way to support its creation is to ensure all resources required are publicly accessible(AP)

opinion

Published on Aug 31, 2023 10:32 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa, Vinita Gupta

Resurrecting the American dream

In the past two decades, protectionist US policies on immigrants forced tech founders and engineers to move away. Now, a new California law hopes to change that

Indian H1-B holders have to wait as long as 89 years for their permanent residency visas according to the Cato Institute(PTI)

opinion

Updated on Aug 02, 2023 12:42 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

India and the US can together beat cancer

The US Cancer Moonshot initiative is now a global effort, and the partnership with India could help achieve its goals faster.

India is better positioned than any country in the world to collect data from tens of millions of people to build the AI models that can not only identify many more cancer cures(Pixabay)

opinion

Published on Jul 24, 2023 09:40 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Collaborate to spur global innovation

Rapid advances in fields such as robotics, AI and nanotechnology, along with the threat of China, have made international partnerships key. In this aspect, CERN shows the way forward

The experience with Covid-19 vaccines showed some of the disadvantages of techno-nationalist strategies. China’s refusal to participate in global standard innovation left it with an inferior vaccine (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Apr 03, 2023 07:24 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Crispr could help India, but proceed cautiously

Crispr presents a remarkable opportunity for India to reset the global balance of power in food production and to become more self-sufficient

opinion

Updated on Feb 22, 2023 07:41 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa and Alex Salkever

India’s values, culture can lead the world in science

India took on a key position on the world stage by assuming the presidency of the G20. This year, the country will aim to provide leadership to a group of countries that comprises 85% of the world’s GDP and 60% of its population. Doing so will require vision, determination, and courage. Over the next few weeks, top leaders and experts from across sectors will weigh in on how to spark transformative global change. Today, Vivek Wadhwa writes on the strides that research can make in India

India’s leadership of G20 comes at an opportune time. The world is suffering from widespread inequality and an industrially induced climate crisis, and India has the ability to solve such global problems without creating more of them. As the PM said, India is brimming with enthusiasm in science and tech, with its youngsters leveraging the power of science to make our planet better. (HT Photo)

opinion

Published on Feb 04, 2023 07:53 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

AI needs guardrails, and tight regulations

Stakeholders must work together to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared broadly and that policies are put in place to support workers who may be negatively impacted by these technologies

There is a deep flaw with all machine learning technologies: They are designed to mimic the way the human brain’s neural networks function, but they do this in a limited and imperfect way. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

opinion

Updated on Dec 23, 2022 07:56 AM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa and ChatGPT

India can and will lead in solving global problems

I am confident that India’s entrepreneurs will work hand-in-hand with its scientists to take advantage of all of these technologies and opportunities — and become a developed country, leading the world in innovation, by the time it reaches 100 years of Independence

The opportunity for India is twofold: To become a manufacturing hub for Asia and to help the West bring manufacturing home from China (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Nov 12, 2022 08:03 AM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

US press is misinforming readers about Kashmir

Some of the international coverage India receives is because of what western media perceives as a hard turn to the Right. It is fair to be critical and to hold Indian leaders to account. But when such agenda employs dishonest reportage, the damage it does is to the cause of democracy and freedom — and press credibility

The Kashmir I saw had an economy that was blooming, infrastructure better than in most parts of India, people who were so warm and friendly that they welcomed me into their homes and shared meals, and children of both sexes from nomadic tribes in mountainous areas receiving primary education. (AFP)

opinion

Published on Oct 02, 2022 08:09 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Prepare now for the era of quantum computing

Quantum computing will solve complex scientific problems in a matter of seconds. However, if not regulated, it can be very dangerous. Our failings with AI hold key lessons

We must institute strategic controls that both correspond to the power of the technology and respect democratic values, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Aug 21, 2022 09:19 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa, Mauritz Kop

How India is shaping the future of e-commerce

If it works, ONDC could fundamentally change the rules of the game for e-commerce and retail — potentially on a global scale — and herald a future of more open and competitive retail with less dominance by vertically integrated platforms

Early reports from ONDC’s initial roll-out in four cities are positive. If it works, ONDC could fundamentally change the rules of the game for e-commerce and retail — potentially on a global scale — and herald a future of more open and competitive retail with less dominance by vertically integrated platforms. It could show United States (US) regulators how to take on monopolies. (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

opinion

Updated on Aug 07, 2022 08:57 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa, Ismail Amla, and Alex Salkever

Forget Web3. India is miles ahead with its UPI

As the crypto craze is dying down, Web 3 is the West’s new obsession. However, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) stands out as a stable and critical technological invention for the future

The best indication of its usefulness is that UPI has grown wildly popular. In six years, transactions running on UPI have skyrocketed, now exceeding $100 billion per month. India is leaping ahead of the world. (Mint File Photo)

opinion

Published on Jul 03, 2022 08:49 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa, Ismail Amla, Alex Salkever

Why India is better off without Musk and Tesla

Elon’s insistence on conditions unacceptable to the Indian government may be a major gift: It will provide the Indian automotive industry with the space necessary to build vehicles that will take the global automotive industry by storm.

India made the right decision in locking the Chinese-made Teslas out, because India is developing a new generation of electric vehicles (EVs), built for the masses, which could dominate global markets. (Reuters)

opinion

Published on Jun 09, 2022 08:38 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Elon Musk is painting an unrealistic picture of AI

The truth is there is a missing link between today’s AI, which is primarily pattern recognition, and the kind of Star Trek computer-level AI that Musk is dreaming about

AI can do amazing things such as speech recognition and holding surrealistic, entertaining conversations about virtually any topic. Still, when it comes to reliability and coherence, current AI is nowhere near what it needs to be.(REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Jun 06, 2022 08:32 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa and Gary Marcus

Joe Biden should target Russia’s ability to innovate

For the US, immigration is its greatest advantage. For Russia, a brain drain will have serious impacts on its economy. The US must, therefore, move beyond sanctions and welcome Russian innovators with a green card and a plane ticket

What’s good for the US (or other destinations for Russian skilled immigrants) is good for the world. If America lets Russian scientists and innovators in, their futures will be brighter and so will the world’s. (Bloomberg)

opinion

Updated on Mar 05, 2022 12:15 AM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Why do Indian-Americans succeed?

No matter what your status was in India, in America, you start at the bottom of the social ladder. The best enter corporate America; they help each other; and they display rare values

opinion

Updated on Dec 06, 2021 08:06 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

The killer drones are here. Get ready

The next generation of drones has enormous destructive potential. India must be prepared and not be complacent

Asymmetrical warfare disproportionately benefits the forces of chaos rather than the forces of liberty. We require a global moratorium on killer robots, including unmanned aerial vehicles. But it won’t happen (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Jul 07, 2021 07:58 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

At the mercy of big tech billionaires

India needs stringent data protection laws. It also needs to encourage its tech industry to develop competitive social media products

When Facebook gains the data on a billion Indians, it will be able to hold the Indian government hostage too. It didn’t dare to pull this stunt in Europe because of the General Data Protection Regulations (AP)

opinion

Published on Jan 13, 2021 07:46 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa

Silicon Valley is in for a rough ride

The days of regulators prioritising innovation over compliance may be over. The traditionally warm relationship between the Democratic Party and Big Tech is becoming contentious

Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies at a House Financial Services Committee hearing in Washington, US, October 23, 2019(REUTERS)

analysis

Published on Jan 04, 2021 08:21 PM IST

ByVivek Wadhwa & Tarun Wadhwa

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Vivek Wadhwa

India doesn’t need Silicon Valley’s playbook. It has the creativity, vision, and talent to write its own story of innovation — one the world can no longer afford to ignore

While Indians marvel at foreign shores during vacations, they ignore their own land’s unmatched history, spirituality, and beauty

The world is at a crossroads. If we channel resources to ensure equality, manage risks, and enhance autonomy, we can navigate toward a future where technology is a force for good

Researchers at IIT Madras are embarking on a journey that could fundamentally change how we approach both medicine and AI.

Apple's paper suggests large language models (LLMs) are nearing their limits, sparking concerns among AI experts.

For a community rooted in hard work, education, and family unity, this shift feels like a departure from the values that have been central to their success in America

Vivek Wadhwa writes: The myth of the lone genius dominates public narratives, leading us to believe that major breakthroughs occur in isolation

India’s large pool of highly educated workers is a strength, but the country must invest in developing specialised skills in chip design, fabrication, and semiconductor equipment maintenance

Adopting a leadership style that emphasises collaboration and empowerment can lead to numerous long-term benefits. It creates a more positive work environment

In a world increasingly divided by cultural and political differences, the success of Indians in politics serves as a beacon of hope.

With talent ready to work at a fraction of Silicon Valley salaries and pathology data widely available, India has the ecosystem to build world-class tech

India has already taken strides in space research and cancer care. It can reap enormous benefits by spurring AI innovation

In the past two decades, protectionist US policies on immigrants forced tech founders and engineers to move away. Now, a new California law hopes to change that

The US Cancer Moonshot initiative is now a global effort, and the partnership with India could help achieve its goals faster.

Rapid advances in fields such as robotics, AI and nanotechnology, along with the threat of China, have made international partnerships key. In this aspect, CERN shows the way forward

Crispr presents a remarkable opportunity for India to reset the global balance of power in food production and to become more self-sufficient

Stakeholders must work together to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared broadly and that policies are put in place to support workers who may be negatively impacted by these technologies

I am confident that India’s entrepreneurs will work hand-in-hand with its scientists to take advantage of all of these technologies and opportunities — and become a developed country, leading the world in innovation, by the time it reaches 100 years of Independence

Quantum computing will solve complex scientific problems in a matter of seconds. However, if not regulated, it can be very dangerous. Our failings with AI hold key lessons

If it works, ONDC could fundamentally change the rules of the game for e-commerce and retail — potentially on a global scale — and herald a future of more open and competitive retail with less dominance by vertically integrated platforms

As the crypto craze is dying down, Web 3 is the West’s new obsession. However, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) stands out as a stable and critical technological invention for the future

Elon’s insistence on conditions unacceptable to the Indian government may be a major gift: It will provide the Indian automotive industry with the space necessary to build vehicles that will take the global automotive industry by storm.

The truth is there is a missing link between today’s AI, which is primarily pattern recognition, and the kind of Star Trek computer-level AI that Musk is dreaming about

For the US, immigration is its greatest advantage. For Russia, a brain drain will have serious impacts on its economy. The US must, therefore, move beyond sanctions and welcome Russian innovators with a green card and a plane ticket

No matter what your status was in India, in America, you start at the bottom of the social ladder. The best enter corporate America; they help each other; and they display rare values

The next generation of drones has enormous destructive potential. India must be prepared and not be complacent

India needs stringent data protection laws. It also needs to encourage its tech industry to develop competitive social media products

The days of regulators prioritising innovation over compliance may be over. The traditionally warm relationship between the Democratic Party and Big Tech is becoming contentious

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