India’s Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has revealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for startups in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to emerge from Tier 2 and 3 cities. He made this statement during the launch of iMPEL-AI (iCreate-Microsoft programme for Emerging Leaders in Artificial Intelligence) in New Delhi, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting the next generation of innovation.
Chandrasekhar emphasized India’s significant progress in innovation and the birth of over 100 Unicorns in the domestic startup ecosystem under PM Modi’s leadership. He also outlined the potential for the next wave of startups in AI, semiconductors, Web 3.0, and high-performance computing.
The government’s goal to position India as a global leader in AI received a boost with the launch of the iMPEL-AI program, a joint initiative by Microsoft India, iCreate, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Supported by the government of Gujarat and the Centre, iCreate has been instrumental in nurturing tech-based startups into successful businesses since 2012.
The impact of AI in India has been significant, with startups in the social impact space creating datasets in various Indian languages to train AI models and conducting research. These initiatives have not only advanced AI technology but have also created job opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
The launch of iMPEL-AI and the government’s push for Tier 2 and 3 cities to become hubs for AI startups underscore India’s commitment to fostering innovation in emerging technologies. As the country continues to make strides in the AI landscape, the government’s support for startups and entrepreneurial endeavors remains a central focus in driving the nation’s technological advancement.
