IndiaAI Mission

Source-This post on IndiaAI Mission is based on the article “Union Cabinet approves IndiaAI Mission with 10,372 crore outlay: How it could help private players” published in “The Indian Express” on 9th March 2024.

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet recently approved the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of Rs 10,372 crore for the next five years. This initiative includes funding for private companies to establish AI computing capacity in the country.

What is IndiaAI Mission?

Background– During the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in 2023 held in New Delhi, the Prime Minister of India declared India’s intention to initiate an artificial intelligence (AI) mission.

Aim– The mission aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem, drive AI innovation, and encourage AI use across sectors. It prioritizes skill development and socio-economic change, in line with the vision of ‘Making AI in India’ and ‘Making AI Work for India’.

Nodal Ministry– Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Implementing Agency: ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC)

What are the key components of the mission?

1. IndiaAI Compute Capacity-The objective is to develop an AI compute infrastructure comprising 10,000 or more Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) via partnerships between the public and private sectors. Additionally, an AI marketplace will be developed to provide AI as a service and pre-trained models to AI innovators.
Note– The AI compute infrastructure will be implemented through a public-private partnership with 50% viability gap funding. If compute prices decrease, the private entity must increase compute capacity within the same budget to meet growing demand

2. IndiaAI Innovation Centre– The Center will create and use its own Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) and domain-specific foundational models in critical sectors.

3. IndiaAI Datasets Platform– It will simplify access to high-quality, non-personal datasets for AI innovation. It aims to offer Indian startups and researchers a single platform for easy access to non-personal datasets.

4. IndiaAI Application Development Initiative– This initiative will promote AI applications in critical sectors by addressing problem statements obtained from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other sources.

5. IndiaAI FutureSkills– It aims to reduce barriers to entry into AI programs and will expand AI courses at undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. Additionally, Data and AI Labs will be established in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India to offer basic level courses.

6. IndiaAI Startup Financing– This pillar aims to help and speed up deep-tech AI startups, offering them easier access to funding for futuristic AI projects.

7. Safe & Trusted AI– This pillar will support the execution of responsible AI projects, which involves creating indigenous tools and frameworks.

UPSC Syllabus- Schemes & Programmes/Science & Technology