The Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, Shri Ajay Singhal, today shared his views on the necessity of ‘Sovereign AI’ in the context of national security at the *India AI Impact Summit 2026*, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in collaboration with KPMG India. The theme of the summit was *“Sovereign AI for National Security: India’s Path To Digital Sovereignty,”* bringing together policymakers and security experts from India and abroad.
*AI: Opportunity, Challenge, and the Need for Technological Independence*
DGP Shri Singhal stated that after the internet and mobile revolutions, Artificial Intelligence has emerged as an immensely powerful technology capable of redefining governance and security frameworks. He emphasized that AI is not merely a tool to accelerate processes but a transformative force reshaping governance, security systems, and societal structures. He cautioned that if AI development is not anchored in a secure, indigenous, and trustworthy ecosystem, critical national security systems could face significant risks. Referring to the five layers of AI—energy, chips, infrastructure, models, and applications—he underlined that self-reliance at the application level alone is insufficient. The entire technological ecosystem, including electricity, semiconductor chips, data, and servers, must remain secure and under national control to ensure uninterrupted functioning of security mechanisms during crises.
**Emerging Security Risks and the Road to Police Modernization**
The DGP expressed concern over the increasing misuse of AI, which could lead to sensitive data breaches, disruptions in emergency services, algorithmic manipulation, deepfakes, and sophisticated cyberattacks. He stressed that law enforcement agencies must be technologically empowered and well-trained to effectively counter such emerging threats. Highlighting Haryana Police’s proactive approach, he stated that the force is prioritizing technology-driven smart policing and continuously upgrading its capabilities to tackle cybercrime and digital threats. He also emphasized the importance of public–private partnerships in developing AI-based investigative and intelligence systems, while asserting that such collaborations must operate within a robust legal framework ensuring accountability, transparency, and adherence to constitutional values. The principles of security, public trust, and legitimacy must remain paramount in the deployment of AI technologies.
*Sovereign AI as a Strategic Imperative*
The DGP concluded by stating that Sovereign AI is a strategic necessity for national security. He underscored the need for India to build an AI framework that is indigenous, secure, and aligned with constitutional principles. Sovereign AI, he explained, refers to artificial intelligence systems that are developed, controlled, and operated by the nation itself, ensuring that data, technology, and servers remain free from external control and that national security and privacy are fully safeguarded. He affirmed that the decisions taken today will shape the future architecture of India’s security ecosystem.
