Ola Group's AI division, Krutrim, has ambitious plans to manufacture India’s first family of AI silicon chips by 2026. The family includes chips named Bodhi, Sarv, and Ojas, emphasizing the company’s commitment to building advanced AI technology domestically.
The Bodhi chip is targeted for AI applications, Sarv is intended for general computing tasks, and Ojas will focus on edge computing. This strategic move is part of Krutrim's goal to reduce reliance on foreign technologies and cement India’s position as a leader in the AI sector.
Krutrim's CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, revealed these plans during the annual Ola Sankalp 2024 event, where he articulated India’s potential to spearhead AI advancements globally. Aggarwal highlighted India's existing tech talent pool and its status as the source for 20% of the world’s data as major advantages.
The startup is not only focusing on chip development but also planning to launch Bodhi 2 by 2028, which promises enhanced capabilities for AI training and inferencing. According to Aggarwal, this chip will utilize over 10 trillion parameters and support exascale supercomputing, offering significant advancements over existing options.
Krutrim has forged partnerships with renowned tech firms, such as Arm and Untether AI, which will play pivotal roles in designing and manufacturing these silicon chips. These collaborations are aimed at ensuring Krutrim’s success and competency within the competitive silicon technology market.
Other plans include scaling up Krutrim’s data center capacity from 20 MW to 1 GW by 2028, transforming it from modest infrastructure to a powerhouse of computing and data storage. This development will enable the launch of various AI services for both domestic and international clients.
Krutrim Cloud also announced the expansion of its service offerings, which will grow to encompass around 50 new features. This includes virtual machines, cloud storage solutions, and enhanced security measures, all aimed at meeting the evolving demands for cloud-native applications.
The cloud services are currently operational for Ola Electric and the rebranded Ola Consumer, formerly known as Ola Cabs. Notably, one of Krutrim Cloud's emerging features is Bhashik, which is aimed at enhancing language processing capabilities.
Ola’s transition from Microsoft Azure to its proprietary Krutrim Cloud signifies its determination to establish itself as an independent cloud service provider. Aggarwal had previously urged Indian enterprises to abandon Azure for Krutrim's homegrown solutions, leveraging the company’s expertise for localized data handling.
To attract developers to its platform, Krutrim announced incentives worth ₹100 crore for free cloud services until Diwali 2025. This initiative is part of its larger strategy to encourage innovation and make its services accessible to the wider developer community.
There’s also the ‘Krutrim for Startups – Udaan’ program, which has allocated ₹50 lakh to support the first cohort of startups. This funding, organized with the help of investors like Z47, is targeted at empowering innovative entrepreneurs throughout the region.
Ola’s foray with Krutrim aims to inspire Indian developers by providing them with the tools necessary to lower technology costs and boost creativity. Since the cloud's official launch, nearly 25,000 developers have engaged with Krutrim Cloud, generating around 250 billion API calls.
Bringing all these advancements together, Aggarwal emphasized the urgency for India to construct its own technology stack amid rapidly changing paradigms. The potential to lead the global AI front is significant, provided local resources are developed effectively.
Krutrim’s ambitious endeavors reflect not just corporate goals but also national aspirations for technological autonomy. By investing heavily in AI infrastructure and embracing cloud services, the Ola Group is positioning itself as not just another tech company but as a pivotal player within the global AI narrative.
All these initiatives echo the sentiments of many advocates for technological self-sufficiency within India. Their hopes rest on projects like Krutrim paving the way for advanced research and innovation, thereby strengthening India’s technological foothold for years to come.
With ambitious timelines and substantial investment, Krutrim aims to usher India toward unparalleled growth and capabilities within the global technology sphere. The burgeoning activity surrounding Krutrim represents more than just business growth; it signals India's readiness to compete at the highest levels on the international stage.
Such strategic investments have the potential to redefine market perceptions and realities around Indian technology, especially within the AI domain. The next few years will be critical for Krutrim as it strives to meet the high expectations set during its launch.
Through its commitment to developing cutting-edge technology locally, Krutrim has the chance to inspire confidence across various segments, setting the stage not only for its own success but for invigorated participation within the entire tech ecosystem.
This sense of empowerment reflects broader ambitions as India aspires to lead the digital transformation narrative globally, showcasing the integrity and capability of its homegrown enterprises. For Krutrim, the launch of its AI chips is just the tip of the iceberg, with much more to come as it embarks on this transformative path.
Onlookers are understandably excited about what’s next for Krutrim and how it will shape the technological future of India. Only time will tell how these ambitious plans will transform the market, but the groundwork is being laid, and the vision is more potent than ever.
