Indian engineers need to stop being so afraid of the term "artificial intelligence"

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being counted (pdf) among the hottest startup sectors in India this year, but the highly specialised space is struggling to grow due to the lack of a primary input: engineers. "Forget getting people of our choice, we don't even get applications when we advertise for positions for our AI team," said 25-year-old Tushar Chhabra, co-founder of Cron Systems, which builds internet of things (IOT)-related solutions for the defence sector. "It's as if people are scared of the words'artificial intelligence.' They start freaking out when we ask them questions about AI." India has over 170 startups focused purely on AI, which have together raised over $36 million. The sector has received validation from marquee investors like Sequoia Capital, Kalaari Capital, and business icon Ratan Tata.