The recent Nasscom technology and leadership summit witnessed a landmark moment for India’s AI aspirations. BharatGPT, an initiative spearheaded by IIT Bombay, unveiled “Hanooman AI,” a suite of open-source generative AI models poised to revolutionize AI accessibility and inclusivity in India.
Inspired by the Hindu deity Hanuman, who embodies service and dedication, the project reflects the noble intent of leveraging technological power for the betterment of society. This article delves into the core objectives, capabilities, and potential impact of Hanooman AI, painting a picture of a future where AI serves the diverse linguistic landscape of India.
Bridging the Language Divide
India boasts a rich tapestry of 22 official languages, each with its own unique cultural and historical significance. However, the current AI landscape in the country presents a stark reality – a heavy Reliance on English. This creates a significant barrier for the vast majority of the population, estimated at around 80%, who are not proficient in English.
Vishnu Vardhan, the head of Vizzhy, mentioned in a chat with AIM that we rely a lot on English for many things. However, he pointed out that in areas like science and healthcare, we have to view everything from an English perspective, which creates a big obstacle for research in India. This Reliance on English makes it tough for people in areas where English isn’t commonly spoken to get important information and slows down the country’s development.
Reliance's Hanooman AI, developed with IIT collaboration, set to launch in March. Backed by Mukesh Ambani, this ChatGPT-style service offers diverse applications. #RelianceAI #Hanooman #BharatGPT 🤖🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/GzUmTm2w4H
— Bharat News Network (@NewsBharatNet) February 21, 2024
Hanooman: A Multilingual Champion for Inclusivity
Hanooman AI emerges as a beacon of hope, aiming to democratize AI and empower individuals and communities across the diverse linguistic landscape of India. The initial rollout will offer four open-source models, ranging from 1.5 billion to 40 billion parameters, capable of conversing in 11 Indic languages. These include Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi, catering to a significant portion of the non-English population.
This move signifies a critical shift towards building AI models specifically tailored to India’s unique linguistic needs. It empowers researchers and developers to build various AI applications such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and text summarization services in their native languages. This not only fosters inclusivity but also unlocks the potential for innovation and development catered to the specific needs of diverse communities.
Building a Sustainable Ecosystem for the Future
Hanooman’s ambitions extend beyond the immediate release of these initial models. The project envisions an expansive and collaborative ecosystem for nurturing future AI development in India. This includes partnerships with Vizzhy, a leading GPU developer, and seven other IITs across the country. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of a sustainable and innovation-driven environment where minds and resources can come together to propel India’s AI journey forward.
Impact Beyond Technology
Hanooman’s significance transcends the realm of pure technological advancement. Its true impact lies in empowering individuals and communities by dismantling the language barrier that has long hampered their participation in the AI revolution. By facilitating research and development in native languages, Hanooman strives to bridge the gap in access to scientific and healthcare information. This democratization of knowledge empowers individuals, fosters inclusivity, and paves the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for India.
The ambitious vision of BharatGPT and the capabilities of Hanooman hold immense potential to reshape the landscape of AI in India. This groundbreaking initiative promises not only to position India as a major player in the global AI race but also to empower its diverse population to leverage this powerful technology in ways that can transform their lives and communities.
As Professor Ganesh Ramakrishnan, leader of BharatGPT, aptly stated, Mistral got France on the AI map. We want India to get on the AI map with BharatGPT. The journey towards achieving this ambitious goal has begun, and with continued collaboration and innovation, Hanooman can truly become the symbol of a future where AI serves the needs of all, regardless of the language they speak.
