- Planned model, envisioned to be capable of reasoning, voice integration, and fluency in multiple Indian languages, promises to unlock a plethora of opportunities.
The Indian government’s selection of Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based startup, to spearhead the development of the nation’s first indigenous AI foundational model marks a significant milestone in India’s technological trajectory.
The initiative, announced alongside the Electronic Components and Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) guidelines by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a robust and self-reliant AI ecosystem within the country.
Sarvam AI’s selection from a pool of 67 proposals highlights the company’s promising approach and the potential for impactful contributions to India’s AI landscape.
Holistic approach
Founded in July 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, both alumni of AI4Bharat, Sarvam AI is poised to develop a comprehensive suite of generative AI solutions.
Their focus encompasses the entire spectrum of AI development, from cutting-edge research in custom model training to the creation of a sophisticated, enterprise-grade platform for AI model authoring and deployment.
This holistic approach is crucial for ensuring that the developed foundational model is not only technologically advanced but also readily accessible and adaptable for diverse applications across various sectors.
The planned model, envisioned to be capable of reasoning, voice integration, and fluency in multiple Indian languages, promises to unlock a plethora of opportunities.
Bridging the digital divide
By prioritising these capabilities, Sarvam AI aims to address the unique needs of the Indian populace and bridge the digital divide by enabling AI-powered solutions that are accessible and relevant to a wider range of users.
The emphasis on secure and large-scale deployment further solidifies the model’s potential for widespread adoption and integration into critical national infrastructure.
Sarvam AI’s co-founders, Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, have articulated a clear vision for the project, emphasising collaboration with Indian enterprises to co-develop domain-specific AI models.
This collaborative approach, coupled with the commitment to build, deploy, and optimise the model within India using local infrastructure and talent, underscores a commitment to national ownership and control over this critical technology.
This aligns perfectly with the IndiaAI Mission’s broader objective of promoting strategic autonomy and enhancing domestic innovation in the AI domain.
Furthermore, Sarvam AI’s collaboration with AI4Bharat at IIT Madras, a leading institution in Indian language AI research, demonstrates a commitment to leveraging existing expertise and fostering synergistic partnerships within the Indian AI community.
The development of three model variants – Sarvam-Large, Sarvam-Small, and Sarvam-Edge – suggests a strategic approach to catering to a diverse range of computational requirements, from advanced reasoning to real-time interactive applications and on-device tasks.