IMF applauds india’s digital reforms, sees it shaping global AI

The International Monetary Fund has expressed strong confidence in India’s economic trajectory and its emerging role in artificial intelligence, with Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva describing the country as one of the major global forces shaping the future of AI.

Speaking on India’s recent performance, Georgieva said the IMF holds “admiration for India” for the way it has developed over the past several years, particularly through sustained economic reforms, the creation of digital public infrastructure, and the expansion of a highly skilled information technology workforce.

According to her, India’s progress has been driven by “fabulous reforms” and the deliberate building of digital systems that have scaled efficiently and inclusively. These foundations, she noted, place India in a strong position as artificial intelligence becomes a central driver of productivity and economic growth worldwide.

Georgieva also addressed a recent moment of confusion during the discussion, clarifying that any perceived uncertainty around India’s AI prospects did not reflect the IMF’s assessment. She said the speculation came from a moderator’s framing rather than the Fund’s own view, stressing that the IMF sees India as “one of the major forces in developing AI.”

The IMF chief underscored why this assessment matters in a global context. Artificial intelligence, she said, has the potential to significantly raise productivity levels and deliver faster economic growth across countries. The IMF estimates that AI could boost global growth by as much as 0.8 percentage points over time, a gain she described as “truly remarkable.”

India, already one of the world’s fastest-growing large economies, stands to benefit disproportionately from this shift. Georgieva said the country’s economic dynamism, when combined with effective AI adoption, could further strengthen growth and competitiveness.

She also highlighted India’s approach to artificial intelligence, noting that she was impressed by how the country is positioning itself to remain competitive while other nations pursue different technological paths. Rather than following a single prescribed model, India’s strategy appears focused on leveraging its existing strengths in digital infrastructure and skilled talent.

Concluding her remarks, Georgieva offered explicit praise for India’s direction, applauding both its current achievements and its forward-looking approach to technology-led growth. “So bravo, India,” she said, summing up the IMF’s confidence in the country’s role in the global AI and economic landscape.