Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, has commended Chinese startup DeepSeek for disrupting the AI industry with its budget-friendly approach. Speaking at an event in Odisha, he emphasised that DeepSeek’s achievement demonstrates how AI can be developed without massive investments—a goal India is actively pursuing.

Securing AI Data on Indian Servers

Addressing concerns about data privacy linked to DeepSeek, Vaishnaw reassured that India would host AI models on its own servers. This move is aimed at safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring data security for Indian users.

India’s $1.25 Billion AI Mission

India is making significant strides in artificial intelligence with its $1.25 billion India AI mission, launched in March, last year. This initiative is designed to support AI startups, fuel innovation, and develop India’s own AI model in the near future.

Boosting Computing Power with GPUs

As part of this ambitious plan, the Indian government has deployed 18,693 graphics processing units (GPUs) to enhance the country’s computing capabilities. This investment is expected to accelerate AI research and development across various sectors.

AI Safety Institution for Responsible Development

To ensure the ethical use of AI, Vaishnaw also announced the establishment of a dedicated AI safety institution. This organisation will be responsible for overseeing AI regulations and preventing potential misuse of the technology.

DeepSeek’s Rapid AI Success

DeepSeek has stunned the global AI community by developing a high-performance model in just two months with a budget of under $6 million. The startup leveraged Nvidia’s H800 chips to achieve this feat, proving that groundbreaking AI advancements do not always require billion-dollar investments. With India’s AI mission gaining momentum, the country is well-positioned to become a key player in the AI revolution, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible and secure AI development.