Zoho Chief Scientist and co-founder Sridhar Vembu believes investments should be directed towards building infrastructure in India rather than purchasing graphics processing units (GPUs), amid the current euphoria around artificial intelligence (AI).
“If I earn $10 billion right now, as a government, I will spend the money on Bangalore infrastructure, Chennai infrastructure, all that. There's no point spending $10 billion on GPUs right now,” Vembu said in the inaugural keynote address at the 17th edition of TechSparks 2026, YourStory’s flagship event.
Vembu made the argument against the backdrop of growing excitement and anxiety around AI advancements, particularly concerns about job losses among technology professionals.
“Our world is all revolving around software tech. Approximately 97% of the population doesn't care, and they are only on the consuming side of it,” he said.
According to Vembu, technology investments should extend beyond software to other sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing.
He cited China, South Korea, and Taiwan as examples of countries that have leveraged technology to boost food production and drive economic prosperity.
“We need a lot more know-how to inject into agriculture to grow more food,” Vembu said, and added, “Israel is able to grow food in the desert.”
To achieve this, Vembu called for India to build sovereignty in foundational technologies and reduce its dependence on foreign countries. He warned that the current geopolitical tensions could leave the country vulnerable to disruptions in access to critical technologies.
“The priorities should go towards foundational and upwards. Then only can we build durable prosperity. Prosperity that stays with us.”