From India to China: 6 countries investing billions in AI to reduce foreign tech dependence

As global competition in AI intensifies, governments worldwide are rapidly expanding state-backed AI initiatives to reduce dependence on foreign technology companies.

In recent months, countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, India and Singapore have announced new AI policies, sovereign AI programmes and large-scale infrastructure investments, reflecting how AI is being treated as part of an economic strategy and national competitiveness rather than just a private-sector technology race.