Astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Raises Alarm for AI Sovereignty to Enhance National Cybersecurity
In today’s digital landscape, the need for strong artificial intelligence (AI) sovereignty is more important than ever. Gaganyaan astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair emphasized this point during his speech at the Kerala Cyber Suraksha Summit 2026. He pointed out that as AI technologies evolve, so does the challenge of distinguishing between real and fake content, highlighting the need for national control over AI systems.
Nair stated that simply having cybersecurity measures in place is not enough unless the country also fosters ownership and control of AI technologies. “We must ensure that we have AI sovereignty because without it, our cybersecurity efforts will be ineffective,” he remarked.
He discussed the future of warfare and industries, suggesting that a “whole-of-nation approach” will increasingly blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds, affecting everyone. “It’s becoming tougher to identify where physical boundaries end and digital ones begin, and this situation will impact all citizens,” he said.
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, Nair called for heightened awareness of digital threats. With AI on the rise, he noted, it’s easy for people to confuse what is genuine with what is fabricated. “Just like in earlier times when we secured our valuables, we need to ensure that our digital assets are equally protected,” he advised.
Highlighting India’s achievements in technology, he referenced the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made headlines by landing near the Moon’s south pole in August 2023. “We should be proud of our capabilities. On August 23, 2023, we accomplished something no one else had done,” Nair expressed.
Nair also acknowledged India’s role in the global software arena and stressed the importance of building upon the nation’s strengths in AI and cybersecurity. “AI and our digital environment are integral parts of our future, and understanding this is crucial for our nation’s progress,” he noted. He emphasized responsible AI usage to enhance people’s lives, demonstrating how intertwined our physical and digital worlds have become.
Vinayak Godse, the CEO of the Data Security Council of India, also spoke at the summit. He highlighted Kerala’s potential to meet national and global tech demands, praising the high literacy rates and talent in the state. Godse remarked, “Keralam has immense potential, and we need to see how this technology ecosystem can grow.”
DGP Manoj Abraham raised concerns about the rising threat of cyberattacks, stating that these attacks could cripple nations without any shots being fired. He revealed alarming statistics, noting a 389% increase in ransomware victims globally, and pointed out that in India, cyber fraud resulted in losses amounting to Rs 19,813 crore in 2025 alone. “At this critical juncture, we need more people to act as cyber defenders,” he stressed. Currently, there are around 4.8 million cybersecurity job vacancies across the globe.
The summit garnered support from various organizations, including the Data Security Council of India, TiE Kerala, and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and served as a platform to discuss the growing importance of cybersecurity in an AI-driven world.
