At the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave, the Indian government unveiled plans to develop an indigenous large language model (LLM), powered by the India AI Compute Facility. The initiative has secured 19,000 GPUs, including 15,000 high-end units, surpassing its initial goal of 10,000 GPUs. This ambitious project aims to reduce dependence on foreign AI technology and establish India as a global leader in AI development.
Accelerating AI Development in India
At least six developers have been identified to roll out the LLM within 8-10 months. These foundation models, trained on extensive datasets, will serve as the backbone for AI-driven applications across multiple sectors. The initiative is a significant step towards self-reliance in AI, ensuring that India is not solely dependent on advanced American AI models, especially as the U.S. tightens AI compute exports.
Cost-Efficient AI Compute
One of the standout aspects of this initiative is the cost-efficiency of the AI compute infrastructure. The cost per GPU hour will be less than a dollar, thanks to a 40% government incentive, making it the lowest in the world, according to government officials. This affordability will encourage widespread AI adoption and innovation in India.
Strengthening India’s AI Ecosystem
With this development, India will join an elite group of nations, including the U.S. and China, that have their own foundational AI models. This move will not only enhance India’s global AI standing but also provide a competitive edge in sectors such as healthcare, education, and governance. Once operational, this initiative will play a crucial role in India’s AI-driven future, fostering innovation and strengthening its digital infrastructure.