Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has criticized India’s growing AI hype, calling it exaggerated and lacking real innovation. Speaking at TiECon Mumbai 2025, he remarked, “Most so-called AI I see is just silly, old programming.”
Murthy’s comments come amid ongoing debates about India’s AI potential. In 2023, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sparked controversy by stating that it was “hopeless” for India to compete in Gen AI, though he later clarified his remarks. On a recent visit, Altman praised India’s enthusiasm for AI, but the country remains far from producing AI solutions that match global benchmarks set by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, or China’s DeepSeek.
Despite India’s booming tech sector, Murthy believes much of its AI buzz lacks substance. He pointed out that many ordinary programs are being falsely labeled as AI, saying, “AI has become a buzzword in India. I have seen several normal, ordinary programs touted as AI.”
His critique raises concerns about whether India is truly innovating in AI or simply following trends without meaningful advancements. While companies and startups across the country are investing in AI, there is still a gap between ambition and execution. Many of India’s AI applications focus on incremental improvements rather than groundbreaking research.
India’s push into AI is undeniable, with growing investments, government initiatives, and increasing adoption across industries. However, Murthy’s remarks highlight the need for deeper innovation rather than just riding the AI wave. For India to compete on a global scale, it must move beyond the hype and develop truly transformative AI models and technologies.
As AI continues to evolve, the challenge for India is to turn its enthusiasm into tangible breakthroughs rather than just marketing-driven buzz
