IndiaAI Mission: How India is Emerging as a Global AI Superpower

For years, the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape has been dominated by tech powerhouses like the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. But now, a new contender has emerged, challenging the status quo and making significant strides—India. With its ambitious IndiaAI Mission, the country is positioning itself as a global leader in AI innovation, research, and application.

The transformation is not just theoretical. In just a month since launching the IndiaAI Mission, the government has received a staggering 67 proposals aimed at developing indigenous AI models. This overwhelming response underscores India's growing AI potential and its determination to build AI solutions tailored to its unique needs. Here, TICE takes a deeper look at IndiaAI Mission. 

A Nation Rising in AI Dominance

India’s journey to AI dominance has been nothing short of extraordinary. According to Stanford University, India is now among the top four AI superpowers, alongside the US, China, and the UK, based on AI skills, capabilities, and policies. Moreover, India has established itself as a global AI contributor, with GitHub reporting that Indian developers hold a 24% share in global AI projects—the highest in the world.

But what’s driving this momentum? A blend of government policies, industry collaborations, startup culture, and a growing talent pool in AI and machine learning is propelling India to the forefront of AI innovation.

IndiaAI Mission: Laying the Foundation for AI Growth

The IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 7, 2024, is a strategic initiative aimed at fostering AI-driven innovations. A key part of this mission is the establishment of the IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), which recently invited proposals from startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop cutting-edge AI models trained on Indian datasets.

The response was remarkable:

• 22 proposals focus on developing Large Language Models (LLMs) & Large Multimodal Models (LMMs), crucial for AI applications in various sectors.

• 45 proposals target domain-specific models (SLMs) in key industries such as healthcare, education, and financial services.

• Several submissions seek GPU support for advanced model training and development.

This initiative underscores India’s commitment to fostering homegrown AI solutions that can cater to the country’s diverse linguistic, economic, and social landscape.

AI for Every Indian: The Digital India Bhashini Initiative

One of the biggest challenges in AI adoption is language accessibility. In a country as linguistically diverse as India, AI solutions must cater to multiple languages. To bridge this gap, the Government of India has introduced the Digital India Bhashini initiative under MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology).

This AI-driven platform supports all 22 Scheduled Indian Languages, making digital services more inclusive and accessible. Some of its key achievements include:

• Development of over 350 AI-based language models, including Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Machine Translation (MT), Text-to-Speech (TTS), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Transliteration services.

• Collaboration with 70+ research institutes to build cutting-edge speech-to-speech machine translation models and a Unified Language Interface (ULI).

India’s Strategic Collaborations: Partnering with Meta & IIT Jodhpur

To accelerate AI research, India has entered into strategic collaborations. One major partnership is between IndiaAI and Meta, leading to the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Srijan (सृजन), at IIT Jodhpur.

This center will focus on:

• Developing indigenous AI applications designed for Indian needs.

• Promoting AI skill development and research.

• Strengthening India's technological sovereignty in AI innovation.

Additionally, the YuvAI Initiative, in collaboration with AICTE, aims to train the next generation of AI professionals in India.

Upskilling India: AI and Cybersecurity Training Initiatives

The AI boom has also highlighted the urgent need for skilled professionals in AI and cybersecurity. To address this gap, the government has launched several AI skilling and research initiatives:

• Cybersecurity Training by CERT-In: Focuses on AI-powered cyber threats and security measures.

• FutureSkills PRIME Program: Offers 119 AI-specific courses to help IT professionals upskill and reskill.

• Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme: Provides funding for PhD candidates and faculty members conducting AI research.

• IndiaAIFutureSkills Initiative: Aims to increase AI graduates and PhD scholars while setting up AI research labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Expanding AI Infrastructure: 27 New Data & AI Labs

A robust AI infrastructure is crucial for India's AI aspirations. As part of the IndiaAIFutureSkills initiative, the government is setting up 27 new Data & AI Labs across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These locations include Lucknow, Patna, Gorakhpur, Bikaner, Srinagar, Guwahati, Kohima, Shillong, and Leh, among others.

By decentralizing AI research and development, India is ensuring that technological growth is not just limited to metropolitan cities but extends to smaller towns, fostering innovation at the grassroots level.

The Road Ahead: ‘AI for All’

The IndiaAI Mission is not just about technological advancement—it aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘AI for All’. The goal is to ensure that AI-driven innovations are safe, trusted, and accessible to all, regardless of geography, language, or economic background.

With continued government support, strategic industry collaborations, and a thriving startup ecosystem, India is well on its way to becoming a global AI powerhouse. The foundation has been laid, and as AI continues to evolve, India's role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence will only grow stronger.

India’s AI revolution has begun. The world is watching.