India is on the brink of launching its very own indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) model, designed to be secure, efficient, and tailored to the nation’s specific needs. This landmark announcement was made by the Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Railways and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, at Electronic Niketan in New Delhi. With this bold initiative, India is positioning itself as a formidable player in AI, emphasizing ethical, cost-effective, and innovative solutions.
A homegrown AI for India’s unique needs
The Indian AI mission is set to deliver solutions that cater to the country’s vast linguistic delivery and social complexities, setting it apart from international AI systems. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility, the initiative is backed by advanced computing facilities that will support the research and development of AI applications specifically crafted for Indian users. A dedicated team of scientists, developers, and engineers is actively working on foundational AI models, with the government project completion within the next six months.
India’s high-performance computing facility
The AI initiative is being powered by a state-of-the-art computing facility featuring an initial deployment of 10,000 GPUs, with plans to expand by an additional 8,693 GPUs soon. This infrastructure will provide Indian research, students, and startups access to affordable computing resources, significantly reducing development costs.
Unlike global AI platforms that charge between $2.5 and $3 per hour for GPU usage, India’s AI model will offer computation at less than ₹100 per hour, thanks to a 40% government subsidy. Moreover, flexible pricing options, including half-yearly and annual plans will further ease financial barriers for developers and innovators, democratizing AI accessibility across the country.
Who is making AI in India?
India is witnessing a surge in indigenous AI development, with multiple organizations spearheading the effort to build ChatGPT-like models tailored for Indian users. Krutrim founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, is creating a “Made for India” AI that supports multiple Indian languages. BharatCPT, developed by CoRover.ai, offers voice and text support in 14 and 22 Indian languages, respectively. Hanooman backed by Reliance, focuses on Indic-langauges Al models to enhance accessibility. meanwhile, project Indus by Tech Mahinda is working on foundational models designed for India’s linguistic diversity.
AI solutions for real-world applications
India has been steadily building a robust AI ecosystem over the past 18 months, ensuring that its models address linguistic, cultural, and contextual factors while maintaining ethical and unbiased standards. The government has identified 18 critical actors where AI applications can yield transformative benefits, including:
- Agriculture: AI-powered analytics to boost crop production and improve soil health
- Healthcare: enhanced diagnostic capabilities and better treatment strategies.
- Weather forecasting & disaster management: AI-driven predictions for extreme weather events and improved disaster response mechanisms.
- Climate change mitigations: sustainability development initiatives supported by AI insight.
By leveraging AI in these crucial areas, India aims to tackle some of its most pressing challenges, from environment conservation to public health advancements.
India’s AI model, a game changer on the global stage
India’s AI mission is more than just a domestic endeavor, it represents a strategic move toward global AI leadership. Unlike mainstream AI models focused on chatbots and content generation, India’s initiative aims to revolutionize industrial applications by optimizing railway ticketing systems, improving agricultural techniques, and monitoring the health of oil drilling rigs, among others.
Additionally, the country is making significant investments in AI education. A recent Stanford University ranking placed India among the top nations in AI education, with 240 universities offering AI-related courses and over 100 institutions equipped with 5G labs. This growing focus on AI literacy will be instrumental in cultivating the next generation of AI researchers and industry leaders.
Altogether by prioritizing affordability, inclusivity, and ethical development, India is taking a significant step toward becoming a global AI powerhouse.