A recent OpenAI report from April 15, 2026, highlights India's active AI usage but also reveals a concentration in specific cities, with Kolkata and West Bengal notably absent. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Chennai lead the way. The article draws parallels to the 1980s when West Bengal hesitated in adopting information technology, hindering its growth. Now, with AI's rise, there's no resistance, but a concerning inertia. The Bengal Silicon Valley Tech Hub in New Town and an AI laboratory at Webel Bhavan are state government initiatives. Despite early AI adoption with tools like ChatGPT, West Bengal hasn't capitalized on the opportunity. The author notes the state's talent and intellectual tradition but questions the lack of AI adoption. The author reflects on a 2024 exhibition of AI-generated art, meant to demonstrate AI's potential. The focus now is on practical applications in areas like agriculture and urban governance, where Bengal lags due to a lack of urgency. The article proposes creating a 'Deep State' think tank in West Bengal, comprising experts from various fields, to drive AI adoption. This group would focus on identifying high-impact AI use cases and facilitating partnerships. The author concludes that while it's late, it's not too late, and the state must act quickly to integrate AI and reward talent.