BENGALURU India may soon deliver the world’s next big technological surprise, not through hardware, but through the vast, untapped power of big data. That was the bold assertion made by Claude Smadja, former Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, during his keynote at the India Global Innovation Connect (IGIC) 2025 in Bengaluru.
Smadja, now Chairman of Smadja & Smadja Strategic Advisory, described India as standing at a historic “inflection point” with the potential to leapfrog into global tech leadership, particularly in areas like AI, machine learning, and deep tech, where access to massive datasets is paramount.
“India has a unique edge when it comes to data, both in scale and diversity and the capability to harness it. This gives the country a structural advantage that few other nations possess,” Smadja said.
Reflecting on over five decades of engagement with the country, Smadja described India’s developmental arc as a “roller coaster of hopes and setbacks.” Often marked by bursts of progress followed by economic or political distractions, the journey has not been linear. But today, he believes, India is better positioned than ever to capitalise on global shifts in the tech landscape.
“The time is now. Global dynamics have created a rare opportunity for India to assert its ambitions and establish itself as a technology and innovation hub for the world,” he added.
In comparing India’s trajectory with other major economies, Smadja noted that the United States is losing momentum, while China has stabilised after grappling with structural challenges. Amid these shifts, India has a narrow but crucial window to define its global tech identity.
“India doesn’t need to replicate Silicon Valley, it needs to build its own version of it, powered by its unique strengths in data, demographics, and digital infrastructure,” he said.
Held in Bengaluru, widely regarded as India’s tech capital, the fourth edition of IGIC has drawn leaders from across the world, including the US, Japan, Germany, Israel, France, the UAE, and more. The conference serves as a melting pot for global innovators, investors, and policymakers looking to collaborate on the future of deep tech and innovation ecosystems.
As India continues to evolve its digital economy and refine its data governance frameworks, Smadja’s remarks serve as a timely reminder that the country’s strength lies not just in code or capital but in its unparalleled access to real-time, real-world data at scale.