Emphasizing the Future of AI in India
Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2024 in New Delhi, Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash M. Ambani called for the urgent development of indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in India. Highlighting AI as “the most revolutionary tool of transformation invented by the human mind,” Ambani stressed the need for a robust national AI infrastructure that will revolutionize sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
“AI will disruptively transform every aspect of our lives, society, and economy,” said Ambani. He projected AI to play a crucial role in India’s journey toward achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, a term for a fully developed India. Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in attendance, Ambani urged India to embrace AI with a holistic, self-reliant strategy (atmanirbhar), emphasizing the importance of domestic efforts in this field.
AI’s Potential to Transform Key Sectors
Akash Ambani outlined the transformative power AI holds for various sectors of the Indian economy. In manufacturing, he said, AI could modernize small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to make India the “new-age factory and new-age services center for the world.” He also pointed out AI’s potential in agriculture, enabling farmers to produce more with fewer resources, particularly water. Similarly, AI could elevate healthcare by providing high-quality services to all and enhance educational opportunities for Indian students by offering the best learning tools.
Laying the Groundwork for a National AI Infrastructure
Ambani announced that Reliance Jio is already working toward bringing the benefits of AI to all Indians, democratizing access to powerful AI tools at affordable prices. He said, “At Jio, we have begun our efforts to bring the benefits of AI to every Indian, just as we did with mobile broadband. We are committed to offering powerful AI models and services to everyone in India.”
Call for Domestic Data Centers and Data Retention
In his address, Ambani also emphasized the importance of developing domestic data centers to retain data generated within India. He urged the government to support Indian companies looking to establish AI and machine learning data centers, as these will be critical for the AI-driven future. “Indian data should remain in Indian data centers,” Ambani said, urging for incentives, including those for power consumption, to support the growth of such infrastructure.
Ambani also called for an update to the 2020 draft of the Data Centre Policy, to ensure swift development of these facilities in India.
A Call for a Self-Reliant AI Future
Akash Ambani’s address underscores a vision for India where AI is a key driver of growth across multiple sectors. His call for indigenous AI development, supported by robust domestic data infrastructure, aligns with India’s broader push for technological self-reliance.
(With inputs from agencies)
