Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, has expressed concerns over India’s rapid tech growth, urging the country to focus on practical solutions to bridge the gap between urban and rural development. While acknowledging India’s impressive rise in the tech sector, he stresses that the country’s growth isn’t yet benefiting its rural workforce, a crucial segment for sustainable progress.

Murthy suggests that India must take inspiration from China’s growth model. In an interview with the Economic Times, he said, “If China has grown its economy fivefold, there must be something they are doing right. We should study their model, understand it, and figure out how to implement it in India.”

One of Murthy’s key concerns is the lack of low-tech jobs, which he believes are vital to prevent overcrowding in urban areas. He warns that without such employment opportunities, the pressure on cities will continue to rise, leading to further strain on resources and infrastructure.

While India has excelled in IT services, Murthy advises caution when it comes to developing large language models (LLMs). He points out India’s limited experience in building robust databases, an essential foundation for effective artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of competing to develop its own LLMs, Murthy suggests India should focus on leveraging existing LLM technology to solve national challenges.

Murthy also advocates for an educational shift in India, emphasizing the need for critical thinking to drive homegrown innovation. He proposes bringing in educators from developed nations to train Indian teachers, thereby instilling vital problem-solving skills in students.

Despite his concerns, Murthy remains optimistic about India’s achievements in applied technology, pointing to successful initiatives like Aadhaar and ONDC as examples of how India has effectively adapted technology for national progress.

Key Points:

• Narayana Murthy emphasizes the need for low-tech jobs to reduce urban overcrowding.
• He advocates studying China’s growth model for lessons on manufacturing jobs.
• Murthy suggests India focus on leveraging existing LLM technology rather than creating new systems.
• He calls for an educational shift to foster critical thinking and innovation.
• Murthy remains positive about India’s tech achievements, citing Aadhaar and ONDC.

This strategic focus on innovation, sustainable growth, and technology adaptation is vital for India’s long-term success.