In News:

BharatGen is a pioneering generative AI initiative launched in New Delhi, aimed at revolutionizing public service delivery and enhancing citizen engagement, with Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State, in virtual attendance.

• Significance
  • Represents India's commitment to advancing homegrown technologies.
  • Positions India as a global leader in generative AI, similar to achievements with UPI and other innovations.
  • Marks the world's first government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model project focusing on Indian languages.
• Leadership and Implementation
  • Spearheaded by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
  • Collaboration with the TIH Foundation for IoT and various academic partners, including IITs and IIMs.
  • Key figures involved include Prof. Shireesh Kedare (Director, IIT Bombay) and Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan (consortium leader).
• Core Objectives
  • Deliver generative AI models as a public good, prioritizing socio-cultural and linguistic diversity.
  • Address broader needs such as social equity, cultural preservation, and inclusivity.
  • Make AI accessible for industrial, commercial, and national priorities.
• Key Features
  • Multilingual and Multimodal Models: Capable of handling text and speech in multiple languages.
  • Bhartiya Data Sets: Focus on India-centric data collection and training.
  • Open-Source Platform: Promotes collaboration and innovation in AI research.
  • Ecosystem Development: Fosters a robust AI research community.
• Project Timeline and Impact
  • Expected completion in two years, with benefits for government, private, educational, and research institutions.
  • Ensures coverage of India’s diverse linguistic landscape through multilingual datasets.
  • Emphasis on data sovereignty to strengthen control over digital resources.
• Alignment with National Goals
  • Supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing reliance on foreign technologies.
  • Aims to strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem for startups, industries, and government agencies.
  • Focuses on democratizing access to AI for innovators and researchers.
• Research and Community Engagement
  • Data-efficient learning for languages with limited digital presence.
  • Development of effective models with minimal data through research collaborations.
  • Initiatives to foster an AI research community, including training programs and hackathons.
• Future Roadmap
  • Key milestones outlined up to July 2026, focusing on:
    • Extensive AI model development and experimentation.
    • Establishment of AI benchmarks tailored to India’s needs.
    • Scaling AI adoption across industries and public initiatives.