Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India is at a pivotal moment, poised to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate its journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. The Government, in close coordination with industry leaders, is championing a comprehensive strategy that aims to position the country not just as a consumer but as a global leader in AI development.
This ambitious push, spearheaded by the IndiaAI Mission, is seen as a decisive lever for achieving the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.
Strategy for digital future
The core of India’s AI strategy is a multi-pronged approach that seeks to build a self-reliant and innovative AI ecosystem. The IndiaAI Mission, with its significant funding, is structured around several key pillars.
A common compute facility with subsidised access to Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) is being established to empower startups and researchers, addressing a critical infrastructure gap.
Concurrently, efforts are underway to develop indigenous foundational models on Indian datasets, with the Government actively funding consortia like BharatGen, which has already released a bilingual Large Language Model (LLM) named Param 1.7
A national platform with over 800 datasets and 200 open-source AI models is being created to democratise access to essential resources. This initiative aims to foster innovation across a wide range of sectors, from agriculture to urban governance.
A $600 billion boost
A recent NITI Aayog report, “AI for Viksit Bharat,” provides a compelling economic blueprint for AI adoption. The report projects that AI could contribute a staggering $500-600 billion to India’s GDP by 2035, helping to bridge nearly half of the growth gap required to reach the aspirational 8 per cent annual growth rate.
Sectors like financial services and manufacturing are expected to be the biggest beneficiaries, with AI potentially contributing up to 25 per cent of their sectoral GDP.
This economic transformation is rooted in enhanced productivity, efficiency, and the creation of new business models. For instance, in agriculture, AI-driven solutions are being used for precision farming and pest detection, while in healthcare, they are enabling better diagnostics and personalised medicine, especially in remote areas.
Innovation with responsibility
The nation’s top leaders are in agreement on the immense potential of AI. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been vocal about the need for a dynamic and responsive regulatory framework. “If the technology is on a sprint, then regulation also has to be on a sprint,” she stated, emphasising that regulation should foster innovation rather than stifle it. She has also underscored the importance of using AI for the “common good,” ensuring its responsible application to prevent misuse and societal repercussions.
Echoing this sentiment, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has called AI an “inflection point” for India. He believes that AI will fundamentally change every sector and urged a strong partnership between the Government, industry, and society to leverage this technology for inclusive growth.
Chandrasekaran has specifically highlighted AI’s potential to solve basic issues in healthcare and education, thereby reducing inequality and creating “huge empowerment opportunities.” He argues that while the Government lays the policy groundwork, the industry must “rise to the occasion” and take full ownership of execution.
Skilling and ethical AI
While the economic potential is vast, the Government and industry are acutely aware of the challenges. The NITI Aayog report acknowledges that AI will displace certain jobs, particularly those that are routine and low-skilled. However, the prevailing view is that AI will also create new, high-value employment opportunities.
The solution lies in robust and continuous reskilling and upskilling initiatives. Programs like IndiaAI FutureSkills are designed to equip the workforce with the necessary capabilities to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
A dedicated pillar for safe & trustworthy AI under the IndiaAI Mission aims to address concerns around data privacy, bias, and ethics. The focus is on building a responsible AI ecosystem that aligns with India’s democratic values and ensures the benefits of technology are equitably distributed.
The collaborative spirit, coupled with a pragmatic and forward-looking approach, suggests that India is not just following the global AI race but is determined to lead it. The success of these initiatives will be crucial in transforming the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision from a promise into a tangible reality.