India is gearing up for a revolutionary push into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), recognizing its potential as a game-changer surpassing the impact of the internet’s advent.
The nation, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aspires not only to cultivate an independent and sovereign AI ecosystem but also to emerge as a significant global exporter of AI technologies, particularly to countries in the Global South.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT is poised to present the ‘India AI Mission’ to the Union cabinet, a substantial program with an allocation exceeding Rs 10,000 crore. The initiative aims to establish a computing capacity ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 GPUs through public-private partnerships, with an additional 1,000 to 2,000 GPUs facilitated by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.
Against the backdrop of dedicated working groups, the government is heeding recommendations for establishing a robust three-tier compute infrastructure, featuring 24,500 GPUs.
The proposal also outlines the creation of cutting-edge AI computing facilities at five locations, boasting a substantial 3,000 AI Petaflops computing power – 15 times greater than the current highest capacity. This initiative reflects India’s determination to bridge the gap with international AI leaders, particularly the US and China.
The nation aspires to join the league of top-performing supercomputing nations, positioning itself as a reliable provider of AI technologies for the Global South.
To encourage the establishment of computing centers by private entities in India, the government is formulating diverse incentive structures. These incentives range from adopting a capital expenditure subsidy model, similar to the semiconductor sector, to providing companies with a ‘usage fee.’ This strategic approach aims to augment India’s computing capacity, particularly benefiting domestic AI startups.
By availing of government-provided computational capacity at reduced costs, startups can bypass GPU investments, gaining a competitive advantage on the global stage. The initiative not only fortifies India’s remarkable Digital Public Infrastructure but also positions the country as a transformative force in the realm of emerging technologies.
Additionally, Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Information Technology, India, disclosed plans to allocate ‘financial resources’ for developing foundational AI models, large language models, and various use cases.
India is actively positioning itself as a global influencer in navigating the challenges posed by the evolution of AI. Embracing emerging technologies with caution, India hosted the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Summit in December 2023.
With over 70 GenAI startups raising over $440 million between 2019 and Q3 2023, the domestic GenAI market is projected to reach $17 billion by 2030. India envisions AI as a key player in achieving a digital economy contributing 20% to the GDP by 2026, with an ambitious target of a $1 trillion digital economy. This represents a substantial leap from the 4.5% contribution in 2014, highlighting India’s dynamic growth in the digital landscape.
India is taking a cautious approach to the risks associated with emerging technologies, planning to restrict dataset access to trusted AI models.
With a focus on responsible AI deployment, India aims to contribute significantly to the global digital economy, establishing itself as an influential force in shaping the future of AI.
