India is set to create its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) model in the coming months, according to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and Union Minister of India.
Speaking at a press conference on the India AI Model, Vaishnaw outlined the government’s ambitious plan to develop a homegrown AI system that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making advanced technology accessible to all citizens.
This initiative is aimed at ensuring that AI solutions are affordable and available across India, providing equal opportunities for technological advancement to people from various backgrounds. One of the key aspects of the model is that it will address growing global concerns about data privacy. Vaishnaw assured that the AI services, including models similar to DeepSeek, will be hosted on Indian servers. This would ensure that data security remains under Indian control, minimising any concerns regarding data breaches or foreign surveillance.
Vaishnaw also highlighted that India has already secured approximately 19,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which are vital for developing a large language model (LLM). These GPUs will be hosted in a common computing facility that will provide the necessary infrastructure to support the development of AI in India. The GPU access, with a 40% government incentive, is expected to cost less than a dollar per hour, which Vaishnaw claims will make it the cheapest in the world.
Furthermore, the minister explained that the foundation models of AI, which are trained on vast data sets, will be used as the base for other applications. These models will form the foundation for numerous AI-driven innovations across different sectors of society, from healthcare to education, and from governance to business.
Once launched, India will join a select group of nations, including the United States and China, where local companies have developed their own significant AI models. This move could establish India as a global leader in AI, positioning it to create a robust ecosystem that fosters innovation and tailors AI solutions to meet the country’s unique needs.
The development of the India AI Model is seen as a crucial step in the country’s efforts to harness the power of modern technology. By providing affordable and secure access to AI, India aims to not only drive economic growth but also to build a technology ecosystem that can solve local challenges with locally relevant solutions. This strategic push is expected to enhance India’s position on the global AI stage, competing alongside the world’s leading AI powers.
