India is preparing to introduce its first domestically developed AI foundational model within the next 10 months, as announced by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This declaration took place at a press briefing, marking a significant milestone in India’s aspirations for artificial intelligence. The initiative aims to enhance India’s role in the global AI arena, which is predominantly led by the US and China.
Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s commitment to advancing AI through the India AI Mission, which received approval last year with a budget allocation of ₹10,000 crore. The mission’s objective is to provide researchers, startups, and academic institutions with access to AI technology and computing power, enabling them to play an active role in the industry.
A crucial aspect of this initiative is the enhancement of computing infrastructure. Vaishnaw disclosed that India has already established a network of 18,000 high-end GPUs, with 10,000 designated for AI development. These resources will be made available to researchers, universities, and startups, aiming to reduce the financial challenges associated with AI innovation.
Ashwini also provided a breakdown of the exact GPUs that are deployed in this project:
- 12,896 GPUs: Nvidia H100
- 1,480 GPUs: Nvidia H200
- 742 AI Accelerators: AMD MI325X and MI300X
Vaishnaw stated that the primary requirement for constructing AI models is computing power. He explained that those with substantial financial resources typically acquire it, hence the need to create a framework where access is guaranteed for all.
By offering shared computing resources, the government aims to democratise AI development, following the principles established by the Digital India programme. This approach will allow Indian institutions to create foundational AI models, which act as the foundation for applications such as generative AI, machine learning tools, and automation technologies.
With a completion deadline set at an “outer limit” of 10 months, India is making significant strides in a sector essential for economic advancement and technological independence.