IndiaAI Mission In Final Leg Of Evaluating LLM Applications For Funding: Ashwini Vaishnaw

SUMMARY

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that AI-LLM applications evaluation is in final stage, with funding decisions for selected entities expected in the coming weeks

The government has selected 10 companies to supply 18,693 GPUs needed for developing foundational AI models, and received 120 applications in the second round of bidding

The INR 10,372 Cr IndiaAI Mission aims to create a comprehensive AI ecosystem through multiple initiatives including computing capacity, innovation centers, and datasets platform

IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reportedly said that the evaluation of AI Large Language Model (LLM) applications is in the final leg and soon the government will shortlist entities that will secure funding under the INR 10,037 Cr IndiaAI Mission.

As per news agency PTI, Vaishnaw said, “The evaluation of the AI LLM applications is in its final stage. Within the next few weeks, we should be able to award the first few LLM model teams, who will then start getting the funding under the AI mission.”

The minister’s comment comes days after electronics and information technology ministry (MeitY) additional secretary Abhishek Singh reportedly said that the Centre is planning to finalise the “first set” of proposals for building indigenous foundational AI models soon.

Prior to that, in January, Vaishnaw said that India is planning to build its own domestic LLM as part of the IndiaAI Mission.

The government has also selected 10 companies that will supply 18,693 graphics processing units or GPUs — high end chips needed to develop machine learning tools that can go into developing a foundational model.

An ET report said that the IndiaAI Mission received around 120 applications to build AI foundation models in the second round of bidding, which closed on March 15.

Approved in March last year, the IndiaAI Mission, with an allocation of INR 10,372 Cr over the course of next five years, aims to create an AI ecosystem, offering supercomputing capabilities comprising over 10,000 GPUs to various stakeholders.

It covers initiatives such as IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC), IndiaAI Datasets Platform, IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, IndiaAI FutureSkills, IndiaAI Startup Financing, and Safe & Trusted AI.

This comes at the heart of the government aggressively pushing for AI adoption in the country and ramping up AI-centric offerings

Last month, the government launched AIKosha, IndiaAI Compute Portal, an accelerator programme to incubate homegrown AI startups, and other offerings to foster innovation.

Additionally, the Centre is also working on acquiring 18,000 graphic processing units (GPUs) to offer AI computing to startups, researchers, students and academicians.

India is home to more than 200 GenAI startups that raised more than $1.2 Bn in funding between 2020 and 2024.

Overall, the Indian AI ecosystem is projected to become a $17 Bn market opportunity by 2030.