Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces the Launch of India’s Own AI Model at Affordable Rates, Empowering Researchers, Developers, and Citizens
India is poised to unveil its safe and secure indigenous AI model, marking a significant step in AI democratization. Union Minister for Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, made this announcement at Electronics Niketan, New Delhi, highlighting how this model will address India’s unique needs with affordable, high-quality computing.
Affordable and Accessible AI for All
India’s AI model is designed to be affordable, with a 40% government subsidy bringing the cost of AI computation down to under 100 rupees per hour. This is a substantial reduction compared to global models, where costs range between 2.5 to 3 dollars per hour. The India AI Mission aims to democratize AI access, particularly for researchers, students, and developers.
Key Features of India’s AI Model
- Computation Facility: The country’s Common Computing Facility boasts 18,693 GPUs, nine times the capacity of DeepSeek and nearly two-thirds of ChatGPT’s infrastructure.
- Low-Cost Access: At an effective cost of ₹100 per hour, India’s AI computing services will be available to startups, MSMEs, and academic institutions, with discounted half-yearly and annual plans.
- Indigenous AI Applications: The AI model will focus on 18 citizen-centric applications, initially targeting critical sectors like agriculture, climate change, and learning disabilities.
DeepSeek and Open-Source Benefits
India’s AI model, named DeepSeek, will be hosted on Indian servers, ensuring data privacy and security. Open-source code will be made available to coders, developers, and designers, supporting collaboration and AI innovation across the nation.
AI Safety at the Forefront
The Indian government is committed to AI safety and ethical deployment. To this end, India is setting up an AI Safety Institute and rolling out eight key projects focused on ensuring data privacy, bias mitigation, and ethical AI governance.
India’s AI Mission and Its Global Impact
India’s ambitious AI ecosystem aims to revolutionize sectors like agriculture, healthcare, weather forecasting, and disaster management. The mission aims to empower citizens by developing AI-powered tools that directly address societal challenges.
- Future Prospects: With AI applications focusing on real-world problems, India plans to address issues such as soil health monitoring, oil drilling safety, and railway optimization.
- Global Recognition: India’s AI initiatives have already been recognized globally, further solidifying the country’s position as a global AI hub.
Call for Proposals: Building India’s AI Models
The government has launched a Call for Proposals under the IndiaAI Mission to collaborate on developing foundational AI models using Indian datasets. This initiative invites startups and researchers to create impactful AI solutions tailored to India’s linguistic, cultural, and economic needs.
Key AI Safety Projects
To ensure responsible AI usage, India has launched projects such as:
- Machine Unlearning (IIT Jodhpur)
- Synthetic Data Generation (IIT Roorkee)
- Bias Mitigation Strategies (NIT Raipur)
- Explainable AI Frameworks (Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune)
- Privacy Enhancing Strategies (IIT Delhi, IIIT Delhi, etc.)
A Vision for the Future
India’s AI ecosystem is positioned for long-term sustainability, with $30 billion invested in semiconductor missions that complement the AI mission. This initiative is a crucial part of India’s plan to become a leader in AI technology, ensuring affordable access and inclusive growth.
Conclusion: India Leading the AI Revolution
With its indigenous AI model, affordable computing facilities, and a focus on ethical AI, India is set to redefine the AI landscape. The government’s initiatives aim to bridge the AI gap and ensure that everyone, from students to startups, can leverage AI’s potential for societal development.
