NASSCOM, Microsoft launch new programme to drive AI innovation

In a bid to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across key sectors in the country, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has launched a new ‘AI Gamechangers’ programme in partnership with Microsoft.

Under the initiative, a statement said, the organizations aim to recognise startups, enterprises, academia, and NGOs that have successfully implemented AI/ML technologies across various useful products and services.

“...,we aim to spotlight some of the leading AI-based innovations in the country, not only to recognize their efforts but to motivate the larger ecosystem to leverage this opportunity to help India become a global powerhouse in AI-led innovation,” NASSCOM president Debjani Ghosh said. 

The innovators’ successful AI projects will be showcased at NASSCOM’s Xperience AI Summit, providing them with the reach and impetus they need to drive AI innovation for the country. They will be featured in an annual compendium, which will be released at the summit, the statement added.

“While the country continues to leap forward to become the global innovation hub, we expect AI to unlock $500 Bn of value to India’s GDP by 2025,” Ghosh said.

The window to participate in the programme is open from March 4 to April 16. A panel of industry leaders and subject matter experts will first judge the entries on the basis of the problem, solution, and the impact being achieved. Then, after careful consideration, they will shortlist the innovators for the final presentation. 

Commenting on the whole effort, Anant Maheshwari, president, Microsoft India, said, “Cloud led data and AI innovation offers a huge canvas for India to be the tech engine of the world and drive homegrown innovation.”

“Data and AI are driving transformation at scale across industries and offer a tremendous opportunity to transform public infrastructure and solve some of the most critical issues facing the country today,” he added.