Ishank Gupta

Tag: Indian Tech

  • From Coders to Chip Designers: India’s RISC-V Revolution

    India has given the world millions of software developers who power global apps. But the processors running all that code are designed and controlled abroad – mostly by the United States or China. The code may be ours, but the platform it runs on is someone else’s. Whether it’s Intel’s x86 or an ARM-based chip, the design and control lie outside India. And it’s not just phones or laptops – everything from EVs to defense systems and AI runs on processors. Without owning processor technology, India’s digital power remains incomplete.

    Why Software Alone Isn’t Enough

    Relying on software prowess while importing critical hardware is a strategic weakness. Code without hardware control is like building on someone else’s land. If the underlying chips have backdoors or export restrictions, our software advantage can vanish overnight. True tech independence means owning the full stack – both the code and the silicon. When India’s applications run on foreign chips, we are playing by their rules. This dependence limits innovation and leaves us vulnerable to supply shocks and geopolitical pressure. Software success means little if we lack hardware sovereignty.

    US and China: The Chip Power Play

    The United States has led the tech world for decades largely because its homegrown processor giants like Intel dominated microprocessors, allowing it to dictate standards and drive computing dominance. In the past decade, China has poured billions into developing its own processors to reduce reliance on US technology. From Huawei’s smartphone chips to supercomputers, China knows that controlling processor IP is key to tech leadership. The lesson is clear: those who design and control chips set the pace in everything from consumer gadgets to defense systems.

    RISC-V: India’s Open-Source Chip Opportunity

    Enter RISC-V, an open-source processor architecture – a chip blueprint anyone can use freely without royalties. Unlike ARM or Intel’s designs, no single company owns RISC-V. This means Indian engineers can design processors on a level playing field, free from licensing restrictions or foreign approval. India is already investing in this arena with government-backed programs to develop indigenous RISC-V chips. By embracing this open architecture, we can create everything from IoT microcontrollers to AI accelerators that are Made in India. RISC-V is our chance to build an independent chip ecosystem from scratch.

    Beyond Coders: Nurturing India’s Chip Creators

    If India aspires to be a global tech superpower, it must move beyond being the world’s software back-office and cultivate tech creators who master both software and silicon. We have millions of developers – now we need to train homegrown chip designers. Indian startups and research labs should be building processors optimized for our needs, from secure defense systems to everyday electronics. The government’s recent RISC-V push is a start, but it must be matched by education and industry investment. Developing apps is good, but designing the chips they run on is even better. By moving from coders to chip creators, India can gain true tech independence and secure its digital future.

  • India’s AI Startup Formula: Wrappers vs Real Tech

    In India’s buzzing AI startup scene, a new formula is trending: take someone else’s pre-built AI model or tool, put a slick user interface on it, and call it an “AI startup.” In other words, repackage existing tech with a shiny wrapper and call it innovation. This approach might create a quick buzz and a functional app, but is it really deep tech — or just surface-level design?

    The Rise of the “Wrapper” AI Startup

    Many new AI ventures today follow this wrapper startup formula. They take an existing AI model or API built by someone else, add a bit of custom code or a slick user interface on top, and then market it as a new product. The pitch often sounds like, “We fixed the UX,” or “We made AI easy for users.” Sure, better UX is valuable – but under the hood, the core engine isn’t theirs. It’s akin to putting a fresh coat of paint on someone else’s machine: it may look new, but the technology driving it is the same.

    Core-Tech AI Startups: Building the Engine

    In contrast, true deep-tech AI startups build their own engines from the ground up. They develop original models, gather proprietary data, and conduct in-house research. These founders can proudly say, “We built the whole engine,” rather than just the shell. This approach is tougher and more time-consuming — it demands serious R&D and patience — but it produces genuine innovation and intellectual property. In other words, real tech happens when the model is yours, the data is yours, and the research is yours.

    Why India Needs More Core Tech Innovation

    If most AI startups here stick to wrapping existing tech, India will remain a consumer rather than a creator of technology. Copying someone else’s tech with a better UI might get you a company, sure. But it won’t build a thriving ecosystem. As the saying goes, a copy can build a company, but only original research builds an ecosystem.

    When Indian startups focus on core tech, they strengthen the nation’s innovation ecosystem. Home-grown AI breakthroughs mean future ventures can build on Indian innovations, academia can partner with industry on cutting-edge projects, and India is seen as a tech creator, not just an adapter. In short, India needs more core-tech creators, not just app builders.

    From Wrapper to Innovator: A Call to Action

    To young builders and founders: aim to be a tech innovator, not just an app assembler. Using existing models and APIs is a fine way to start — it lets you prototype quickly and learn. But don’t stop there. Dive deeper. Learn how those models work under the hood. Collect your own data. Train your own models, even if they start simple. Tackle problems that off-the-shelf tools haven’t cracked. Yes, it’s a tougher path, but that’s where real breakthroughs lie. In the long run, those who build the engine will drive innovation forward. Ask yourself: Are you just fixing the UX, or are you building the whole engine?