New Delhi: According to Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Indian data sets program will now be exclusively accessible to Indian start-ups. This move is aimed at promoting the growth of Indian artificial intelligence start-ups and limiting direct access to big tech companies like Google, who must now invest in Indian AI start-ups to gain access indirectly. The Indian government is working on an AI platform that will have one of the largest publicly assembled data sets in the world.
Chandrasekhar further added that the government’s focus is to support deep tech start-ups in areas like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The success of Indian start-ups has been primarily due to the large Indian market that provides access to a broad consumer base. However, the emphasis now must shift towards creating intellectual property in India, according to the minister.
In terms of AI regulation, Chandrasekhar stated that it was still early days to regulate the technology. Although the forthcoming Digital India Act, which will replace the Information Technology Act, will have guardrails to prevent any user harm from AI products, there is no need to create a specific regulatory mechanism for AI.
The Indian government is currently giving its final touches to the India AI program, which aims to promote innovation and start-ups in the area. The roadshows for the same will begin in the coming months, according to the minister.
This decision by the Indian government to limit direct access to Indian data sets to only Indian start-ups will give a significant boost to the Indian AI start-up ecosystem. It will also create a more level playing field for Indian start-ups to compete with global tech giants. By promoting deep tech start-ups and creating intellectual property in India, the Indian government is taking the necessary steps towards making India a global AI powerhouse.
