India Can Unlock AI Gains by Opening Enterprise Data: World Bank
World Bank's Neelkanth Mishra says India can boost AI benefits by opening up enterprise data while maintaining owner control through DEPA.
India stands at a critical juncture in its technological evolution, with the potential to reap massive economic rewards from artificial intelligence. However, a significant barrier remains: the vast majority of corporate information is currently invisible to AI systems. Neelkanth Mishra, Executive Director at the World Bank Group, has highlighted that unlocking this "untouched" data is the key to India's AI success.
The 99% Data Gap
Speaking at the launch of the World Development Report 2026 and the IndiaAI Mission, Mishra revealed a startling statistic regarding the current state of corporate information. He noted that 99 per cent of data held by corporations remains untouched by AI.
This massive reservoir of information stays locked away because of a fundamental hesitation among businesses. Mishra explained that companies are often reluctant to feed their information into AI models due to the fear of losing ownership. He described the current situation as a "complete market failure" in the data market, where the fear that "once you've shared it, it's gone" prevents the very data sharing required to fuel innovation.
Leveraging India's Unique Data Architecture
To bridge this gap, Mishra pointed toward India's existing regulatory and technological frameworks as potential solutions. He specifically lauded the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) law.
According to Mishra, India's approach provides a "remarkable model" for the world. This architecture allows for:
- Controlled Data Sharing: Enabling data to be used for specific, beneficial purposes.
- Retained Ownership: Ensuring the original owner of the data maintains control over how it is utilized.
- Empowered Usage: Making data available for AI training without stripping away the rights of the provider.
Adapting Tools vs. Building from Scratch
The World Development Report 2026 suggests a strategic shift for developing nations like India. Rather than attempting to compete in a prohibitively expensive race to build advanced AI systems from the ground up, the report advises focusing on adapting existing AI tools to meet local needs.
A successful example of this localized approach is already visible in India, where AI-supported weather forecasting services have reached more than 30 million farmers, providing critical information for agricultural planning.
A Warning Against Long-Term Pessimism
While acknowledging the challenges, Mishra urged India not to succumb to "AI loser" anxiety. He addressed concerns regarding the current global shortage of computing capacity and silicon, warning against projecting today's limitations into the infinite future.
"I think it's wrong to assume that the shortages of silicon will persist forever," Mishra stated, noting that computing models and technologies are constantly evolving. He encouraged the nation to remain confident that the concentration of AI value among a few upstream developers is not a permanent state.
However, he concluded with a sobering reminder that the path forward requires intense effort. To truly break out of low-income traps and expand AI adoption, India must tackle the "hard work" of improving data access, building robust infrastructure, and refining its technological ecosystem.