India is taking significant steps to bolster its AI capabilities with plans to host the Chinese-developed AI model, DeepSeek, on local servers. This move is aimed at addressing privacy concerns and ensuring that AI technology adheres to India’s data protection norms. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared these developments as part of the broader IndiaAI Mission, which is designed to create a robust AI ecosystem in the country.
As part of the mission, India also plans to develop its own foundational AI model, which will be tailored to the country’s unique languages, culture, and needs. The government is in talks with multiple developers, and the model is expected to be ready within 4-8 months. The country’s AI ambitions are supported by the empanelment of 18,693 high-end graphics processing units (GPUs), which are critical for developing machine learning tools. The GPUs will be supplied by various companies, including Yotta, Jio Platforms, and Tata Communications, with Yotta contributing nearly half of the total units.
To further promote AI development, India will establish a common compute facility where startups and researchers can access this computing power. The government has announced that the cost of using these GPUs will be significantly lower than global rates, with subsidies making it even more affordable. The pricing will start at Rs 150 per hour for high-end GPUs and Rs 115.85 for lower-end ones, with a 40% subsidy for users.
Additionally, an AI safety institution will be established to ensure that the AI solutions developed are safe and ethical. Under the IndiaAI Mission, 18 AI applications focusing on critical sectors like agriculture, climate change, and education for learning disabilities have already been selected for the first round of funding.
With these initiatives, India is positioning itself to become a major player in the global AI arena, while ensuring that its AI solutions are designed with local needs and ethical standards in mind.
