By Sasha Raman
Indians attended schools in the U.S. in record numbers in 2023. Drawn by excellent academics as well as the potential to make a big impact on their careers, Indians are also studying in fields that are growing rapidly and that will provide opportunities for years to come – not only in New York and Silicon Valley but also in major Indian hubs like Mumbai and Bengaluru.
This interest in pioneering industries is clear from the data. In 2023, we saw a stunning four-fold, year-over-year rise in applications from Indian students to study AI and machine learning at U.S. schools. The increase is due to bullish sentiment around the AI industry and the desire of India’s vast pool of talented minds to contribute to the American tech ecosystem.
This interest, influenced by the introduction and phenomenal growth of AI models, has been dubbed the “ChatGPT Effect.” Other related fields saw similar growth, with an almost five-fold increase in applications for data analytics and a staggering eight-fold rise in applications for cybersecurity and computer forensics.
Indians thrive and lead in the U.S. tech industry
It’s no surprise that Indians are attracted to the U.S. to gain experience in the tech sector – these students are following a well-trodden path of Indians who have become successful in the American technology economy. Indeed, Indians are at the helm of several companies building innovative technology. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, are prime examples of Indian immigrants in the U.S. who have been influential in the field.
Of course, Indians aren’t alone in finding success in the American tech industry. Artificial intelligence is one field particularly powered by migrants: Chinese-born American Fei-Fei Li is co-director of Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI Institute, while British-Hong Kong-American Andrew Ng was the co-founder and CEO of Google Brain, and Russian-Israeli-Canadian-American Ilya Sutskever co-founded and is chief scientist of OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
Indian tech experience in the U.S. benefits home country
India benefits tremendously when its students study these pioneering fields outside the country. Since the 1960s, thousands of Indians have pursued advanced STEM degrees at U.S. colleges and universities. While many have remained abroad, others have returned to India and have established institutions that forge the development of India’s own tech giants.
Today, numerous Indian tech firms like Wipro and Infosys are making an impact on technology. Silicon Valley and Bengaluru are building ties, and many American tech firms have established offices throughout India. These companies offer thousands of jobs for Indians who want to help facilitate economic and technological growth in their own communities.
As the world continues to experiment and develop artificial intelligence technology, Indians have the opportunity to be on the forefront of technological development. Foreign universities continue to be excellent investments for Indians, offering high-calibre programs that integrate AI into their curricula and expanding opportunities for Indians seeking to study these growing fields.
With access to a U.S. education and the doors it opens, Indians can play a critical role in shaping our future and making their communities stronger.
(Author is Head Corporate Strategy, MPOWER Financing)
