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India's Sovereign AI Model Strategy Shows Results, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that India's sovereign artificial intelligence model strategy is yielding positive results, specifically praising the advanced foundational model released by homegrown startup Sarvam AI. The startup was selected to build the country's first indigenous AI foundational model, which includes superior text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities for Indic languages. This development is part of the broader India AI Mission, which received government approval and an allocation of Rs 10,300 crore over five years to bolster the national AI ecosystem. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized making AI affordable and inclusive, urging startups to leverage the technology for societal good and to promote local content and regional languages.

Key Points: India's Sovereign AI Strategy Delivering Results: Vaishnaw

  • Sovereign AI strategy delivering results
  • Sarvam AI built India's first indigenous foundational model
  • Rs 10,300 crore approved for India AI Mission
  • Focus on affordable, inclusive AI for societal good
2 min read

India's sovereign AI model strategy delivering results: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says India's sovereign AI model strategy is working, praising Sarvam AI's advanced foundational model for Indian languages.

"Even the most critical reviewers are praising the technologically advanced model released by Sarvam as a part of our AI mission - Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, Feb 8

Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that sovereign artificial intelligence model strategy is delivering results, as he praised an advanced model released by homegrown startup Sarvam AI.

Last year, the startup was selected to build the country's first artificial intelligence (AI) foundational model. Out of the 67 proposals, Sarvam AI was shortlisted to build India's first indigenous foundational model.

"Even the most critical reviewers are praising the technologically advanced model released by Sarvam as a part of our AI mission," Vaishnaw said in an X post.

He further stated that in parallel, "our smart young engineers are working on innovations in materials science, healthcare and cybersecurity that will be noticed by the world as pathbreaking models".

Sarvam AI has built best text-to-speech, speech-to text, and OCR models for Indic languages.

In December last year, Sarvam AI Co-Founder Pratyush Kumar showcased multilingual AI systems under the IndiaAI Mission, including India's first sovereign foundational Large Language Model (LLM) for Indian languages.

In a significant step towards bolstering India's AI ecosystem, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in 2024 approved the India AI Mission with the allocation of Rs 10,300 crore. This funding, slated over the next five years, is poised to catalyse various components of the IndiaAI mission.

Last month, PM Modi urged startups to leverage AI for societal good. Chairing a roundtable with Indian AI startups at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister urged making AI affordable, inclusive, and transparent.

He also suggested that Indian AI models should be distinct and should promote local and indigenous content and regional languages.

PM Modi noted that India will host the 'India AI Impact Summit 2026' from February 16-20, through which the country will play a major role in the technology sector.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, a focus on Indic languages! So many of our grandparents and people in rural areas struggle with English-first tech. Text-to-speech in our own languages can be a game-changer for digital inclusion. Hope they prioritize accessibility and keep costs low, as PM Modi said.
R
Rohit P
Rs. 10,300 crore is a massive investment. While the intent is good, I hope there is strict oversight and transparency in how this money is used. We've seen big funds get diluted in bureaucracy before. The results need to be tangible for the common citizen, not just tech demos.
S
Sarah B
Working in tech from Bangalore, this is exciting. A sovereign model means data stays within India, addressing major privacy and security concerns. The focus on healthcare and cybersecurity innovations mentioned by the minister is where the real global impact will be. Let's build it!
V
Vikram M
Hosting the India AI Impact Summit in 2026 is a smart move. It will put our homegrown talent on the world map. The key is to ensure these models are truly "for societal good" – solving local problems in agriculture, education, and governance, not just chasing global trends.
K
Kavya N
As a teacher, I'm most excited about the potential in education. Imagine AI tutors that can explain concepts in Tamil, Bengali, or Marathi! This could revolutionize learning in government schools. The focus must remain on creating useful tools, not just impressive technology.

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