When we think about the future of artificial intelligence (AI), it’s easy to picture brilliant algorithms, groundbreaking research, and creative applications. But according to Jonathan Ross, founder and CEO of Groq, the real determinant of AI’s future isn’t just ideas—it’s raw compute power.
In an interview with Economic Times, Ross outlined a bold vision: nations that control access to chips and computing infrastructure will hold the keys to the next wave of global technological dominance. Just as the world once fought over oil, tomorrow’s rivalries may very well be fought over compute.
Ross makes an important distinction: traditional internet technologies are about replicating and distributing information, but AI is different. With AI, it’s not just about sharing knowledge — it’s about generating new insights and creating new possibilities. And creation requires massive compute power.
“Just like you need fuel to run an industrial economy, you need compute to run AI,” Ross explains. Without it, you simply cannot deploy advanced AI systems, no matter how brilliant your algorithms might be.
India, Ross argues, stands at a unique crossroads. With a vast talent pool, thriving startup ecosystem, and the government’s IndiaAI Mission, the country could seize this historic moment to become a central player in the global AI race.
But the challenge is immense. Building cutting-edge AI chips is an arms race dominated by giants like NVIDIA, which has been investing in AI infrastructure since 2012. These chips don’t just power startups; they also fuel trillion-dollar tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
Ross points out that access to compute is not just about innovation—it’s also about sovereignty. If one nation can’t secure sufficient computing resources, it risks falling behind in AI research, national security, and even economic growth.
The scale of investment required is staggering. Hedge fund managers Ross spoke to admitted that within ten years, they couldn’t hope to outperform AI in stock-picking. If AI is already writing code and producing creative outputs, what happens when nations can’t keep up with the escalating demand for compute?
Today, Google is estimated to operate around 30 million GPUs. By contrast, even if a startup raised $500 million, it might only be able to afford 5.5 million GPUs. That gap underlines just how concentrated compute resources have become — and how high the barriers are for new entrants.
For AI startups, this is both terrifying and motivating. On one hand, the scarcity and cost of compute create real obstacles. On the other, it highlights how critical partnerships, creative business models, and government support will be in the coming decade.
Ross’s message is clear: without massive investment in compute infrastructure, no nation—or startup—can hope to lead in AI. With demand projected to keep soaring, the countries that act now to secure resources will shape the technological order of the future.
We are entering an era where compute is not just a technical resource but a strategic asset. Nations and companies alike must recognize this shift. For India and other countries with strong talent pools but limited chip production, the challenge will be how to scale compute access fast enough to keep pace.
Ross sums it up best: “This is the new oil.” The nations that secure it will not only lead the AI revolution but also define the next century of economic and technological power.