Modern wars use algorithms, not guns; fought in server farms, not trenches: Gautam Adani

Kolkata: Stressing the vital role of IIT Kharagpur in advancing technology, self-reliance, and nation-building, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Monday said that as the world shifts from conventional warfare to technology-driven conflicts, India’s preparedness will determine its future.

Speaking at the 75th Foundation Day of IIT Kharagpur, Adani warned that in the 21st century, nations could be politically independent yet remain bound by technological dependence.

“The wars we fight today are often invisible. They are fought in server farms, not trenches. The weapons are algorithms, not guns. Empires are now built in data centres, not on land. The armies are botnets, not battalions,” he said.

As a special guest at the event, Adani highlighted the country’s technological vulnerabilities, noting that India imports 90% of its semiconductors, making the digital economy vulnerable to disruptions or sanctions. Similarly, 85% of India's oil is imported, exposing the economy to energy shocks from geopolitical events.

“In military terms too, many of our critical systems are imported, binding our national security to the political will and supply chains of other nations,” he added.

Adani warned that when Indian data crosses borders, it fuels foreign algorithms and economies, reinforcing global dominance by external powers.

“Eighty years ago, young men and women fought here for the right to govern our land. That same fight continues today, only the weapons have changed.” He described IIT Kharagpur’s students as the new generation of freedom fighters, responsible not just for defending borders, but for securing India’s position in global innovation.

“In the age of robotics and AI, cost advantages will disappear overnight. This isn’t change at 1X, it’s at 10X, 100X, accelerating toward 1000X,” he said, emphasising the urgency to adapt.

Looking ahead, Adani predicted an exponential evolution in technology where AI builds AI, robots create robots, and machines teach machines, fueling what he called "India’s second freedom struggle." He cautioned that future trillion-dollar disruptors will wield influence exceeding that of many nations, saying, “Companies will become more powerful than many countries.”

Adani urged India’s educational institutions to transform, keeping pace with global technological shifts. It’s no longer sufficient to produce brilliant graduates; institutions must produce brilliant patriots, he said, “armed with ideas, discipline, and the will to build India.”

He also called on the corporate sector to share responsibility for addressing India’s innovation deficit, urging them to invest in research and development rather than rely solely on talent from institutes like the IITs.

“We stand on the shoulders of public institutions like ISRO, BARC, DRDO, ICMR, and NCL. From Chandrayaan to Aadhaar, UPI to vaccine research — our government has laid the foundation of modern India. But that alone will not sustain us in the race ahead.”

Adani emphasised that India’s private sector must contribute its share, not just through slogans but with budget allocations, world-class labs, and risk capital, especially in areas like advanced materials, biotechnology, and deep tech. “This is not a call to abandon our heritage but an appeal to design a different future, before it’s too late,” he said.