Welcome to Pint of View – Bangalore's first-ever community where classroom-styled lectures meet drinks in pubs and bars.

Every week, we bring together curious minds to learn about everything from space exploration and evolutionary biology to public policy, history, and culture, all in the relaxed setting of a neighbourhood pub.

Geopolitics of AI

Artificial intelligence is often talked about as the next big technological revolution. But what happens when AI also becomes a source of national power?

The United States and China are already competing for an advantage in AI. It is not just about who builds the best model. It is also about computing power, chips, talent, data and the supply chains behind them. Governments are increasingly willing to accept the costs of technological separation, while technology companies are becoming more closely tied to national interests.

But what kind of competition is this? Is AI like nuclear technology, where the priority is controlling who gets access to it? Is it an arms race, where one country’s gain is another’s loss? Or could it be an innovation race, where collaboration and the spread of technology benefit everyone?

If AI becomes a general-purpose technology, having the best model may not be enough. Countries will also have to figure out how to put AI to work across businesses, universities and public institutions. Talent and the ability to adapt could matter as much as the technology itself.

And then there is India. Can it use the US-China rivalry to its advantage? Should it focus on chips or talent? What does technological self-reliance mean in an interconnected world? And what kind of strategy will India need to compete in an AI-driven world?

This lecture asks what AI could mean for global power, and where India fits into that future.

About the Speaker

Pranay Kotasthane is the Deputy Director at the Takshashila Institution, where he researches and teaches public policy, international relations, and public finance. His work spans State capacity, high-tech geopolitics, and the political economy of modern India.

He co-writes Anticipating the Unintended, a widely read newsletter on policy ideas, and co-hosts Puliyabaazi, a Hindi podcast on politics, policy, and technology.

Pranay is the co-author of Missing in Action, Fiscal Fables and We, the Citizens, and When the Chips are Down.

Event Details

• Sunday, 20 September | 2 pm to 4 pm
• Maize & Malt, Whitefield Main Road [near the metro station]

What your ticket includes

• 1 complimentary freshly brewed beer or a mocktail
• Valet Parking

Seating will be on first-come, first-served basis.

What to Expect:

• A 60-minute lecture
• 30–45 minutes of interactive Q&A
• Social mixer and personal Q&As with the lecturer

About Pint of View

Inspired by the successful Lectures on Tap community in the U.S., Pint of View brings this format to India for the first time. It’s where big ideas meet bar tables, and where you enjoy a drink in hand, walking out with a new way of seeing the world.

Book now & develop your own pint of view! 🍻