Sarvam AI Will Build India’s First Indigenous AI Foundational model: Ashwini Vaishnaw

After multiple rounds of submissions from startups across the country, India’s first AI foundational model will be developed by Sarvam AI, announced Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology on Saturday.

“We are all part of these exciting journeys, and today, we are very happy to share an important milestone, the launch of the first step in our own foundational model, Sarvam AI has been selected to develop India’s first indigenous AI foundational model,” said Vaishnaw.

"The company has sought a six-month timeline to complete the development of its foundational model," said, Vivek Raghavan, Founder, Sarvam AI.

Vaishnaw also mentioned that there are many other energetic teams, startups and academicians who are deeply committed to advancing this force.

“This first model is a major milestone. It features 70 billion parameters, along with several innovations in programming and engineering,” the Union minister highlighted.

Vaishnaw also updated about the AI kosh that about 350 datasets have already been uploaded to the AI Kosha platform, which was launched recently, on March 6.

In path of developing India’s own foundational model, security is a crucial aspect.

“Under the AI safety Institute Initiative, we had requested IITs and other institutes to develop new technologies. I’m pleased to report that four of those projects are nearly complete, and the tools are ready. Very soon, we will be launching these tool-sets,” Vaishnaw added.

The Union Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, was speaking at the launch event of the guidelines and portal for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), where he was joined by S Krishnan, secretary, MeitY; Sushil Pal, joint secretary, MeitY; and several renowned industry leaders.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, had approved the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).

The scheme aims to develop a robust component ecosystem by attracting large investments (global/domestic) in electronics component manufacturing ecosystem, increasing domestic value addition by developing capacity and capabilities, and integrating Indian companies with global value chains.