Nandan Nilekani: Time to bring a billion Indians into AI-driven digital economy
Open-source AI models are making significant strides in technology. One such model, AI4Bharat, is dedicated to creating Indian language datasets. These datasets can be utilized to power AI-driven services in various sectors. Some of the key areas of focus include agriculture, education, and healthcare. This information was shared during a recent event.
The Urgent Need for AI Solutions for India's Language Diversity
Infosys co-founder and Aadhaar architect, Nandan Nilekani, has emphasized the urgent need to build artificial intelligence (AI) solutions suited for India’s language diversity. According to Nilekani, this is crucial in bringing a billion Indians into the AI-driven digital economy.
Open-source AI models, such as AI4Bharat, are working to create Indian language datasets that can power AI-driven services in agriculture, education, and healthcare. Nilekani discussed these points during an event by Arkam Ventures.
Government Initiative 'Open Agri Network'
The government is planning an initiative called the ‘Open Agri Network’, which will use AI to deliver real-time agricultural insights to farmers. Nilekani believes that another significant shift will come from affordable smartphone access. "This is a big unlock where we use technology, DPI, and AI to reach a billion Indians," Nilekani commented.
Return of Indian Startups to Domestic Markets
Nilekani also spoke about the return of Indian startups to domestic markets. He noted, "It’s the perfect setup for more IPOs and rapid expansion." Talking about the growing Indian startup ecosystem, he said that successful founders are reinvesting in the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Growth of Indian Startups
Nilekani predicted that while the Indian economy grows at 8 per cent, the number of startups would grow by a 20 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) and reach the 1-million mark in the next decade. He also emphasized the need to enable 10 million MSMEs with better access to technology, markets, and credit.
India's Rapid Technological Leap
India’s rapid technological leap over the past decade was enabled by digital public infrastructure (DPI) such as Aadhaar and UPI. With over 500 million smartphone users and 530 million WhatsApp users, India has built an unprecedented digital base, Nilekani noted.
The Need for AI Adoption in India
“There’s a need for India to go all-in on artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, ensuring its benefits reach a billion people. For this, key focus areas are Indian language accessibility, MSMEs, agriculture, health, and education,” Nilekani emphasised.