Edge AI chips were in the spotlight at Semicon India 2026 this month. Here is what the technology is and why India sees it as its best shot in the chip race.

What are edge AI chips? They run artificial intelligence directly on devices like cameras, cars and machines, instead of sending data to the cloud. That means faster responses, lower data costs and better privacy, since sensitive footage never leaves the premises.

What did Atomo show? Startup Atomo demonstrated a circuit board that lets cameras spot fires, count people and detect factory defects on-device. Its founder Pratik Parmar’s pitch: “What happens in your premises stays in your premises.” The board currently uses a US-designed chip, chosen when Indian options were not mature.

Why does this matter for India? India is late to the race for data-centre AI chips, but edge chips for cameras, vehicles and electronics are a more realistic opening. Under a government design programme, 105 startups have accessed chip-design tools and produced about 35 designs ready for manufacturing.

Thiruvananthapuram-based Netrasemi’s A2000, described by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as India’s first edge AI SoC, targets commercial volumes in 2027.