India is taking a significant step towards developing its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the launch of Hanooman.
Hanooman is a large language model (LLM) designed to work in multiple Indian languages. This project is being developed by BharatGPT. The developers, BharatGPT includes Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and a consortium of top engineering schools (8 IITs), is set to be launched in March 2024.
Public-Private Partnership
Hanooman represents a unique collaboration between private and public entities in India. The BharatGPT group, which is leading the project, includes Reliance Jio Infocomm, eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the central government. This collaboration brings together expertise from academia, industry, and government, creating a strong foundation for the development of indigenous AI.
The project aims to address concerns about the accuracy and biases present in some existing LLMs. Hanooman’s makers have fully focused on the Indian context, focusing on inclusivity by incorporating multiple Indian languages.
Hanooman Focuses on Local Languages
Unlike many LLMs that primarily work in English, Hanooman can operate in 11 Indian languages. So, the AI will make AI technology more accessible to a wider range of users in India and promotes inclusivity in AI advancements. The initial version will converse in 11 languages, with plans to expand to all 22 official Indian languages in subsequent versions.
This focus on local languages is crucial for India, because a significant portion of the population does not speak English fluently. By making AI accessible in local languages, Hanooman has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare, governance, education, and financial services.
Applications in Every Sectors
Hanooman is versatile and has direct applications in various sectors. For example:
- Healthcare: A healthcare-focused version named VizzhyGPT is in development for applications like medical diagnosis and patient education.
- Governance: Hanooman improves communication between government agencies and citizens, by providing information and services in local languages.
- Education: The AI model is a valuable tool for personalized learning, and to develop educational content in local languages.
- Financial Services: Hanooman can improve customer service in the financial sector and can develop new financial products and services.
The project has already garnered interest from several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. Hanooman surely has great potential in various government initiatives.
Hanooman is Multimodal
The AI goes beyond just text processing. It is a multimodal LLM, capable of generating and analyzing content in various formats, including text, speech, and even video. This multimodality allows for a more versatile and user-friendly experience. For instance, users can interact with Hanooman through voice commands or by typing text, making it easier for people with disabilities to access AI technology.
BharatGPT & Hanooman
The development of Hanooman is part of a larger effort by the BharatGPT group to build a robust AI ecosystem in India. The group is working with industry partners like Reliance Jio and medical equipment maker SML to develop the necessary infrastructure and applications for LLMs like Hanooman.
This collaborative approach is essential for ensuring the long-term success of the AI and other indigenous AI projects in India. By bringing together expertise from various stakeholders, the BharatGPT group is creating a strong foundation for a future powered by AI.
AI Landscape in India
The development of Hanooman is a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a leader in AI development. However, it is not the only initiative in this space. Several startups like Sarvam and Krutrim are also working on open-sourced AI models designed for the Indian market.
The Indian government is also playing a role in promoting AI development. The government’s AI Mission, which includes setting up a powerful supercomputer, will provide essential resources for training and developing LLMs like Hanooman.
