 "‘Aim to make India a global innovation powerhouse:’ President Murmu, while lauding IndiaAI mission")
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint session of Parliament on Friday, ahead of the Union Budget presentation, with a bold vision for India’s future. She outlined the government’s goal to transform the country into a “global innovation powerhouse.” A key part of this vision is the IndiaAI Mission, aimed at enhancing India’s role in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence.
India’s growing role in AI
In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the remarkable contributions of Indian youth in various fields, from science and startups to space exploration.
She noted that India is leading the way in AI adoption and development, showing the world how technology can be harnessed for progress. “Today our youth is bringing glory to the country…India is showing the way to the world in the fields of Artificial Intelligence,” she remarked, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting AI as a core part of India’s technological future.
IndiaAI mission and future AI developments
The IndiaAI Mission, which was launched to position India as a global leader in AI, was also discussed by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw. In a recent press conference, Vaishnaw confirmed that India’s Large Language Model (LLM) would be ready within 10 months, making significant strides in the development of homegrown AI technology. The mission also aims to create AI models tailored to India’s unique needs while maintaining global standards.
Vaishnaw further revealed that India now has a robust AI infrastructure, with 15,000 high-end GPUs, which compares favourably to global benchmarks, including platforms like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. This infrastructure will support India’s growing ambitions in the AI space. “Very soon, we will have our own LLMs,” Vaishnaw stated, signalling India’s intent to rival global AI platforms like ChatGPT.
The Indian government has underscored its commitment to AI with a substantial financial outlay for the IndiaAI Mission in the Union Budget 2024-25. A total of Rs 10,000 crore has been earmarked over the next five years, with Rs 551 crore already allocated. This funding reflects the government’s strong belief in AI’s potential to drive economic growth and technological advancement in the country.
Empowering women through technology
In her speech, President Murmu also highlighted initiatives aimed at empowering women, particularly in the tech sector. She spoke about the ‘Drone Didi’ scheme, which provides women with training in drone technology. This initiative is set to open up new career opportunities for women in sectors like agriculture and logistics, fostering greater financial and technical independence.
President Murmu’s address painted a promising picture of India’s future as a leader in innovation and technology, with AI and women’s empowerment at the forefront of the country’s development agenda.
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