Key highlights of Cabinet-approved ₹10,000 cr India AI mission

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved India AI mission at an outlay of ₹10,372 crore. This project, as the Ministry of Electronics and IT mentioned, is seen as a significant step towards progressing the country’s AI ecosystem. The mission will be applied by IndiaAI Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation. 

“By democratising computing access, improving data quality, developing indigenous AI capabilities, attracting top AI talent, enabling industry collaboration, providing startup risk capital, ensuring socially impactful AI projects and bolstering ethical AI, it will drive responsible, inclusive growth of India's AI ecosystem,” the ministry said in a statement.

One of the major takeaways from the mission is that of building a high-end and scalable AI computing ecosystem to cater for India’s growing startup and research landscape. Built through a public-private partnership, the ecosystem will comprise of AI infrastructure of 10,000 or more graphics processing units (GPUs). AI innovators will also be able to leverage an AI marketplace that will offer AI-as-a-service and pre-trained models. 

The Cabinet has also announced setting up of innovation centre, datasets platform, and application development initiatives. These initiatives will collectively help in development and deployment of large language models and domain specific foundational models; access to quality non-personal datasets through a unified data platform; application of AI in critical sectors for problem statements sourced from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other institutions.

Deep-tech start will be supported and accelerated AI startups through IndiaAI Startup Financing. These startups will also streamlined access to funding for furturistic AI projects. Notably, last year, the government announced the National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) that aims to address the challenges confronting deep tech startups through policy interventions. 

Further, under the latest India AI mission, the government has also conceptualised a scheme called FutureSkills for lower barriers to enter AI programs, and increase its numbers. Data and AI Labs will be set-up in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India to impart foundational level courses.

Lastly, the mission lays down emphasis on developing adequate guardrails for responsible development, deployment, and adoption of AI. It will include development of indigenous tools and frameworks, self-assessment checklists for innovators, and other guidelines and governance frameworks.