**London**: Ashish Puri, Lightrock partner, discusses the revolutionary impact of AI, particularly through Deepseek, emphasizing accessible technology for emerging economies. He urges governments to build infrastructure and attract investment, optimistically envisioning AI’s role in tackling global challenges and fostering sustainable growth.
Ashish Puri, a partner at Lightrock and a seasoned technology investor, has over two decades of experience witnessing the evolution of technological innovations. In a recent interview, he discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly highlighting the advancements brought forward by the AI company Deepseek. Puri conveyed his belief that AI could soon become integral to everyday life, mirroring the widespread adoption of smartphones.
Puri, who holds a double master’s degree in electronics and computer science, revealed that his passion for technology is deeply rooted in his professional journey. He shifted his focus towards impact investing, particularly after the birth of his daughter, which heightened his awareness of the pressing global challenges. “When we can address these immense problems through technology, we’re not only contributing positively to the world,” he stated, emphasising the importance of sustainable outcomes alongside profit.
Deepseek stands out in the AI landscape by significantly lowering the barriers to AI adoption, making it particularly relevant for emerging economies. In his remarks, Puri outlined that traditional AI development often necessitates expensive resources, such as high-powered GPUs, which are not readily accessible to many companies. He noted that Deepseek has challenged this traditional framework, having been built on the Llama model while utilising only a fraction of its vast potential. Puri described this as a pivotal moment, asserting that “Deepseek is like the Toyota of the AI industry,” drawing a parallel with how Toyota revolutionised automobile accessibility.
According to Puri, one of the major obstacles facing emerging economies in the AI sector is the combination of costs, infrastructural challenges, and the need for political will. He underscored that most governments are realising the necessity of building smart models to enhance efficiency amid fiscal pressures. “If there’s one thing [Donald] Trump has done right, it is setting up an initiative to improve government efficiency,” he remarked.
He detailed that the challenge extends beyond merely acquiring the technology; it encompasses creating a robust ecosystem that facilitates access to data, which is vital for tailoring AI solutions to specific regional issues such as education, poverty, and healthcare. The open-source nature of Deepseek, as highlighted by Puri, addresses these needs by providing a less costly and accessible foundation for governments keen on leveraging AI.
Puri advocated for the use of data in enhancing governmental operational efficiencies, equating it to the motivations behind corporate AI application. He explained that, like businesses, governments can optimise resource allocation and eliminate inefficiencies by implementing AI-driven insights on the data they collect.
Regarding attracting investment in emerging economies, Puri explained that investors are guided by the potential return on capital and the stability of the economic environment in which they operate. He remarked, “Governments need to help investors and give them predictability to be able to come in and comfortably invest their clients’ capital.” For nations to bolster their investment appeal, they must foster stable legal frameworks and simplify investment structuring.
Puri acknowledged places like the UAE as exemplars of successful investment attraction, underlined by their stable reputations which fuel innovation by drawing talent and capital alike. He also mentioned the burgeoning tech clusters in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as well as the promise of countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, which present ambitious growth goals.
As the conversation concluded, Ashish Puri expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of AI and emerging technologies on global development, leaving an optimistic outlook for the future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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