Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani commits 2nd grant to AI4Bharat
Infosys co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani recently announced his commitment to a second multi-year grant for AI4Bharat, an open-source initiative by IIT-Madras. This initiative focuses on developing foundational artificial intelligence models for various Indian languages.
The joint statement emphasized Nilekani's belief in the significant impact that AI4Bharat has on India's technological infrastructure. It stated that AI4Bharat's efforts are crucial in positioning India as a leading hub for AI use cases globally.
Nilekani's Vision for Inclusion and Access
Nilekani highlighted the importance of access as a key component of inclusion, especially concerning language diversity in India. He expressed his support for AI4Bharat's mission to create infrastructure that enables every Indian to access digital services in their native language.
Earlier, on February 21, Nilekani commended IIT-M professor Mitesh Khapra for his work within the AI4Bharat initiative. He recognized Khapra's contributions to the Bhashini program, underscoring the remarkable progress made in this field.
AI4Bharat's Impact and Achievements
AI4Bharat's investments in language digitization and data infrastructure have paved the way for the development of models catering to India's linguistic diversity. The initiative's Gen AI models gained significant traction, especially following the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in 2022.
AI4Bharat's models now serve as the foundation for various applications in regional languages, including chatbots and educational integrations. These models have been integrated into essential public digital platforms, enhancing multilingual services across sectors such as governance, healthcare, and finance.
Supporting India's AI Ecosystem
AI4Bharat's language datasets, covering all 22 constitutionally recognized languages, are freely accessible through the AI4Bharat website and AIKosh, India's open AI repository. These datasets have been instrumental in empowering platforms like Bhashini, NPCI, and agricultural chatbots to offer services in multiple languages.
Professor V Kamakoti, the director of IIT-M, emphasized the potential of India-specific AI models in bridging the AI divide and fostering inclusivity. He expressed hope that Nandan Nilekani's continued support would further the objectives of AI4Bharat.
In conclusion, Nandan Nilekani's commitment to AI4Bharat through the EkStep Foundation is a testament to his dedication to enhancing digital infrastructure and accessibility in India.
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