After China’s DeepSeek, India to launch AI large language model

Less than a week after Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) lab launched a low-cost foundational model, DeepSeek, the Indian government on Thursday said it had decided to build a domestic large language model of its own as part of the Rs 10,370 crore ‘IndiaAI Mission’.

Union Minister for Information and Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government had selected 10 companies, which will supply 18,693 graphics processing units (GPUs) — high end chips needed to develop machine learning tools that can go into developing a foundational model of this large language model.

He further said that roughly 10,000 of the 18,693 GPUs approved to be empanelled were ready to be installed. Besides, the government has also selected 18 application-level AI solutions for the first round of funding.

“Over the last one-and-a-half years, our teams have been closely working with start-ups, researchers and professors. Today, we are calling for proposals to develop our own foundational model. The model will take care of the Indian context, languages and culture, devoid of biases,” he added.

The minister further said the government was in touch with at least six developers for building the foundational model, which could take anywhere between four to eight months. He also announced an AI Safety Institute, which will enable stakeholders to develop tools, frameworks and processes for AI safety. Eight projects have been undertaken under ‘Indigenous Governance of AI’ in this regard.