By Gopichand Katragadda
Generative AI (GenAI), in my opinion, having demonstrated less than 5% of its full potential, is on the brink of unleashing a wave of innovation. The automotive, energy, healthcare, agriculture, and security sectors are particularly primed to benefit from these advancements. I anticipate a significant growth in GenAI applications through 2025, followed by a brief adjustment period, before we witness an exponential surge in its capabilities, coinciding with other digital breakthroughs.
In India, the initial focus has been on establishing robust guardrails to harness the power of GenAI responsibly. The next phase involves deploying enterprise-focused large language learning models (LLMs) distinct from their research counterparts. These models are designed to process and innovatively utilise company-specific information. There’s a growing trend among large corporations to collaborate with startups. This collaboration aims to advance GenAI applications, utilising external data and employing sophisticated technologies like visual transformer models, particularly in industrial settings.
The advancements in Natural Language Processing (NLP) research have been remarkable, especially in the diverse linguistic landscape of India. In the Indian scenario, NLP needs to go beyond mere translation – it’s about comprehending the contextual and cultural nuances embedded in many Indian languages.
The AI startup landscape in India is witnessing a unique growth trajectory. Indian startups, fuelled by talent and substantial investments, are beginning to flex their muscles in the global AI arena. This growth indicates the immense potential that Indian AI startups possess, capable of pioneering innovations and setting new standards in the AI domain.
Indian talent is contributing to fundamental research on GenAI globally. As an example, the foundational paper that was critical to the launch of the GenAI revolution (Attention Is All You Need) has a couple of authors of Indian origin.
India’s approach towards nurturing its AI ecosystem reflects a blend of strategic investment, innovation, and regulation. The key lies in fostering a balanced ecosystem that empowers startups and enterprises, promoting ethical AI development.
In conclusion, as we navigate the evolving landscape of GenAI, India stands at a crucial juncture. The journey ahead involves not just harnessing the technological prowess of AI but also embedding it within the socio-economic fabric of the nation. The focus should be creating an ecosystem that balances innovation with responsibility, leveraging AI for economic growth and societal betterment.
The author is president, The IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology)
