AI mission

The artificial intelligence (AI) storm unleashed by DeepSeek is a tough reality check. As expected, the new benchmarks being set by China as a developer of AI foundational models have shaken up governments worldwide and the western-dominated Big Tech. The challenge for India is to not just play catch-up, but also to grab the opportunity that the production of advanced AI models at low costs presents. Instead of a panic-driven counter-balancing strategy, it’s vital to view it as a pivotal moment for AI democratisation. Access to — and now, the proven possibility of — cheaper technology and adoption tools is bound to provide a better foothold to innovators. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s announcement of plans to build a domestic version of the Large Language Model (LLM) is thus a positive response. The road ahead requires staying on course.

There’s a consensus in the technology ecosystem that India has the talent, capability and competence to make significant progress in AI. The government, on its part, has been pushing the Rs 10,370-crore India AI Mission. Ten startups have been selected for building the LLM focusing on localised AI applications and enhancing accessibility for Indian users. Getting the fundamentals right may well decide the outcome of the efforts. That calls for a concerted public-private interface on what’s essential and what’s lacking. Obfuscation on addressing critical deficiencies, like the need for substantial investment in core infrastructure and research initiatives in universities, will only pull the project down.

Can India do a Mangalyaan in AI, with cost-effective ways and without massive computational resources? There’s no reason why it can’t, provided the situational issues are taken care of. Embracing the momentum triggered by the open-sourcing of DeepSeek would require an attitudinal change. National projects demand collaboration at all levels, bereft of politics or theatrics.