India is setting its sight on becoming self-reliant by developing its own indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) language models, marking a pivotal shift as the global tech ecosystem evolves rapidly.
At a recent industry event in Mumbai, C Vijayakumar, CEO of HCLTech, emphasized the urgent need for Indian IT firms to rethink their operations amid the generative AI boom. He noted, "The changes AI is assuring are very different, and we need to be more proactive to even categorize our revenues to create completely new businesses." This statement underpins the tech sector's recognition of AI's transformative capabilities, which threaten traditional business models heavily reliant on U.S. clientele.
Vijayakumar's caution reflects broader concerns about reliance on foreign-developed technology, especially as advancements like generative AI reshape product delivery timelines. For example, he cited how generative AI could compress the implementation of substantial tech transformations—potentially reducing the timeframe for projects worth billions from five years to under four years.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw corroborated these sentiments with optimism about India's ability to create large language models (LLMs) and smaller, problem-focused models at significantly lower costs compared to wealthier nations. He stated, "We have started an application process for developing our own LLMs" to chart India's unique digital future.
This initiative also includes plans for improving access to necessary computing resources through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Vaishnaw revealed, "We were targeting 10,000 GPUs. We have got applications for 18,000 GPUs," highlighting the burgeoning interest and commitment to developing indigenous AI capabilities.
Vijayakumar highlighted the geopolitical aspects around language models, warning, "We should not assume these (language) models will continue to be open source." He pointed out potential restrictions nations might impose on technology availability, urging India to establish its competitive edge.
The establishment of frameworks like DPI is expected to empower researchers and innovators throughout the country, allowing broader access to high-performance graphics processing units. Vaishnaw explained the operational advantages, stating, "Our approach is probably going to help us stand out... because very rarely will you find large public sector dataset availability." This structured approach leverages public data assets to train state-of-the-art models.
Such developments could pave the way for India not only to become self-sufficient but also to emerge as a product leader on the global stage, with Vaishnaw laying out ambitious objectives, including developing 25 semiconductor products following the establishment of domestic chip manufacturing plants.
The need for vigilance and adaptability within the IT industry resonates strongly throughout this discourse. Infosys CEO Salil Parekh echoed this sentiment, insisting, "I think we have to be paranoid. We have to be non-complacent." His remarks point to the heightened competition and the rapid pace of technological change, which tech companies must navigate carefully.
India’s drive to cultivate its own AI language models not only aims to cut dependency on foreign technology but also positions the nation to confront geopolitical challenges more effectively. With key figures reiterative on maintaining agility and foresight, the narrative surrounding India's technological evolution reflects both resilience and innovation. This burgeoning focus on indigenous development will undoubtedly play out as India's response to the global technological race evolves.