As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integral to various sectors, Sandip Patel, the head of IBM India, underscores the importance of equipping the workforce with AI skills. He asserts that India's ambition to emerge as a global leader in AI relies on not just technological investments but also on rapidly training its young population. With over half of India's 1.4 billion citizens under the age of 30, Patel sees this demographic dividend as a significant opportunity for developing a skilled workforce of approximately 350 million in AI-related roles. However, he warns that AI's capability to perform complex tasks could disrupt jobs within the country's vast services and outsourcing sector. To foster innovation and secure the commercial value of homegrown innovations, Patel advocates for stronger intellectual property protections. He believes that such measures will encourage research, investment, and product development, ultimately determining India's success in the competitive global AI landscape.