India’s Homegrown AI

There have been strides taken by India towards developing its own AI technology, aiming to potentially rival models like ChatGPT. India's development of homegrown artificial intelligence technology marks a significant milestone in the global AI landscape.

ChatGPT is trained on a massive dataset of text and code, but much of this data might not be representative of the Indian context. India has a vast array of regional languages. An Indian AI model could potentially cater to these languages more effectively, addressing a gap in accessibility.

As the country increasingly focuses on fostering innovation and technological advancements, the emergence of indigenous AI solutions highlights India's ambition to compete on the global stage in this rapidly evolving field.

India's vibrant startup ecosystem has witnessed a surge in AI-focused startups in recent years. These startups are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address diverse challenges ranging from healthcare and agriculture to finance and e-commerce.

“The world is talking about ChatGPT and OpenAI. Based on our own languages and our own India datasets we expect that as a consequence of India's AI mission, we will have sovereign AI models that are designed and built in India”, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a Press Conference.

Government aims to set up 10 AI labs in Thiruvananthapuram. "This is a very powerful, empowering and enabling move of having an India AI mission... Thiruvananthapuram, which used to be a leader in tech in the past, has slipped in technology and therefore both in semiconductors and AI, it is my intention, promise and guarantee that we'll create an ecosystem of innovation that is best in South India, Rajeev Chandrashekhar added.

Moving forward, India's entry into the AI arena signifies the emergence of new contenders capable of challenging existing paradigms. By leveraging its strengths in talent, government support, entrepreneurial ecosystem, data availability, and localization, India is poised to make significant strides in AI innovation and contribute to shaping the future of this transformative technology.

S Mohini Ratna, Editor, VARINDIA