A debate around India’s technology future has erupted online after a viral video suggested that the country should avoid investing heavily in traditional silicon chip manufacturing for the next 15 years and instead focus directly on futuristic technologies such as photonic, neuromorphic and quantum-hybrid chips. The argument has triggered sharp reactions online with many believe India cannot afford to ignore the basics while chasing the future.
The discussion gained traction after a viral video compared the idea to India’s rapid adoption of mobile phones without first building a large landline network. Supporters of the idea say India has succeeded before by skipping older infrastructure models and directly embracing modern systems like UPI-based digital payments and mobile internet.
Why the “Skip Silicon” Theory Sounds Attractive
The pitch behind the idea is simple: why spend billions building technology that may eventually become outdated when the global industry is already moving toward next-generation computing?
