IndiaAI Mission: Union IT Minister Launches Compute Portal and AIKosha Dataset Platform

Marking a significant milestone in India’s artificial intelligence (AI) journey, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the IndiaAI Compute Portal and the AIKosha Dataset Platform, along with several other initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission. These efforts aim to enhance access to AI resources, promote innovation, and develop India’s AI capabilities.

Launch of IndiaAI Compute Portal: A Game-Changer for AI Development

One of the most significant announcements was the launch of the IndiaAI Compute Portal, which will provide access to over 18,000 GPUs, cloud storage, and various AI-related services.

Key Features of the Compute Portal:

• Designed to support students, startups, researchers, academia, and government departments.
• Offers access to high-performance AI computing resources at an affordable cost.
• Provides necessary infrastructure to build and train AI models efficiently.
• Aims to facilitate the development of India’s own foundational AI model.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that this initiative will significantly reduce the cost of AI development, similar to how India’s Chandrayaan mission was executed at a fraction of the cost compared to other nations. He stated that the cost of using GPUs under this portal is expected to remain below Rs 100 per hour, making it one of the most cost-effective AI computing solutions globally.

Furthermore, the minister revealed that 67 applications have already been received for the development of India’s own foundational AI model. He expressed confidence that within 3-4 years, India will have its own GPUs competing at the global level.

AIKosha: India’s All-in-One Dataset Platform for AI Innovation

Alongside the Compute Portal, the AIKosha Dataset Platform was also launched, marking a major step toward data-driven AI research and innovation.

Objectives of AIKosha:

• Serves as a one-stop platform for accessing high-quality non-personal datasets.
• Provides resources, tools, and expert mentorship for AI developers and model builders.
• Enables the creation of India-specific AI models by offering curated datasets.
• Supports AI startups, academia, and government bodies in developing cutting-edge AI solutions.

The platform is expected to streamline AI model development by providing structured and verified datasets essential for training AI systems. By facilitating data access, AIKosha will contribute to the growth of India’s AI ecosystem, enabling researchers and businesses to build robust AI applications.

India’s Journey Towards Its Own Foundational AI Model

With the launch of the Compute Portal and AIKosha, the government is taking concrete steps toward developing India’s own foundational AI model.

What is a Foundational AI Model?

A foundational model is a large-scale AI model trained on vast datasets and capable of performing multiple AI-driven tasks. Examples include ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s Llama.

India’s Vision for a Cost-Effective AI Model

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that, just like India’s moon mission was cost-efficient, the country’s AI foundational model will be developed at a fraction of the cost of global AI models.

The government is actively working with researchers, academia, and startups to ensure that India’s AI model is competitive on the global stage while being affordable for businesses and developers.

Additional Initiatives Under the IndiaAI Mission

Apart from the Compute Portal and AIKosha, several other AI-related programs were launched:

1. AI Competency Framework for Public Sector Officials

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) introduced a competency framework for government officials to enhance AI awareness and implementation in public services.

2. India AI Startups Global Acceleration Programme

A dedicated program was launched to support Indian AI startups, helping them gain access to global markets, mentorship, and funding opportunities.

3. India AI Fellowship Programme

To encourage AI research and talent development, the government awarded students under the India AI Fellowship Programme. Additionally, 30 AI applications were recognized for their contributions to the field.

Budget and Implementation of the IndiaAI Mission

Financial Allocation and Governance

• The IndiaAI Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2023 with a budget outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore.
• The initiative is led by the IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• The mission focuses on building a comprehensive AI ecosystem through public-private partnerships.

Strategic Importance of the Mission

The IndiaAI Mission is designed to:

• Accelerate AI research and development.
• Strengthen India’s AI capabilities to compete with global AI giants.
• Provide accessible AI infrastructure to startups, researchers, and enterprises.
• Foster AI-driven solutions for various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance.

Summary of the News