Mumbai: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has launched its first AI venture, the BharatGen Technology Foundation. Registered in Maharashtra on November 7, this initiative aims to develop AI tools tailored for Indian languages.
BharatGen’s mission is ambitious: to create a language model that supports at least 22 Indian languages, including Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali. Eventually, it plans to incorporate various regional dialects, making AI more accessible to citizens across India.
Professor Ganesh Ramakrishnan, the Founder Director of BharatGen, highlights the project’s significance. He states, “By 2026, we aim to support all 22 languages, reducing India’s dependency on foreign AI services.” This initiative is not just technological; it’s a cultural shift toward self-reliance in AI.
Historically, most AI solutions available globally have been English-based, creating barriers for non-English speakers. BharatGen strives to break down these barriers, making digital services and information available in everyday languages.
The project has four main goals:
- Develop a self-sufficient AI ecosystem for India.
- Bring local languages into the digital realm.
- Provide open-source AI tools.
- Create extensive linguistic data for research.
IIT Bombay isn’t going it alone; it’s collaborating with other prestigious institutions like IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur. This partnership solidifies BharatGen’s ambition as a national initiative aimed at multilingual AI software.
Many models under BharatGen will be open-sourced, providing an excellent resource for students and researchers. Startups can leverage these tools to create unique applications. Beyond that, government departments can utilize AI in native languages, saving money otherwise spent on expensive foreign services.
With an expected budget of ₹1,250 crores from the government, this project has significant backing. The Department of Science and Technology is providing ₹235 crores, while the IT and Electronics Ministry is contributing ₹1,058 crores.
This initiative can transform various sectors in daily life. For instance, it can improve mobile banking services, healthcare, and governmental tasks in Marathi and other languages. It can also assist farmers by providing crucial information in their native tongues, from weather forecasts to crop recommendations. Plus, there’s a voice-activated feature designed to help senior citizens!
The Computer Science Department of IIT Bombay, established in 1982, has evolved significantly, especially after merging with KReSIT in 2006. Today, IIT Bombay is not just an engineering institution but a significant player in the tech world, shaping industries through innovation.
As AI evolves, BharatGen’s localized focus can make technology more inclusive and easier to navigate for everyone in India.
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