In a major step forward for artificial intelligence (AI) in India, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled the IndiaAI Compute Portal and the AIKosha Dataset Platform, among other initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission. These initiatives are designed to improve access to AI resources, foster innovation, and strengthen India’s AI capabilities.
Launch of IndiaAI Compute Portal: A Game-Changer for AI Development
One of the major announcements was the introduction of the IndiaAI Compute Portal, which will offer access to more than 18,000 GPUs, cloud storage, and a range of AI-related services.
Key Features of the Compute Portal:
• Designed to assist students, startups, researchers, academia, and government departments.
• Provides access to high-performance AI computing resources at a cost-effective rate.
• Supplies the infrastructure needed to build and train AI models efficiently.
• Aims to foster the development of India’s own foundational AI model.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out that this initiative will greatly cut down the costs of AI development, similar to how India’s Chandrayaan mission was carried out at a much lower expense compared to other countries. He noted that the cost of using GPUs through this portal is expected to remain below Rs 100 per hour, making it one of the most economical AI computing solutions in the world.
Furthermore, the minister shared 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 that can compete globally.
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.
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.
