India to Augment AI Compute Capacity, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday that India will significantly increase its computing power to bolster the nation's burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. He also encouraged the IT industry to collaborate with academic institutions to foster the development of cutting-edge technology solutions.

Speaking at an event in Hyderabad focused on "The Role of Technology in Building Viksit Bharat 2047," Vaishnaw highlighted the transformative impact of rapid AI advancements on the global technology landscape. He stressed the necessity for continuous learning, innovation, and adaptation in response to these swift changes.

Vaishnaw urged industry leaders to capitalize on these opportunities by creating next-generation technology solutions, thereby reinforcing India's standing as a global technology leader. He assured them that India's compute capacity would be augmented, calling it a critical need of the hour. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released a statement confirming this assurance.

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Technology is changing rapidly, and Artificial Intelligence is transforming the global IT industry. These changes require continuous learning, innovation and adaptation.

Furthermore, the minister called for closer collaboration between industry and educational institutions to ensure academic curricula align with evolving industry demands. He cited Airbus's partnership with GSV to update its curriculum as an example of successful industry-academia synergy. Industry leaders proposed creating sector-specific data trusts within Indian educational institutions, a suggestion Vaishnaw welcomed, proposing a pilot project at IIT Hyderabad.

The government's commitment to developing India's semiconductor capabilities was also emphasized. Vaishnaw noted that 315 universities now possess advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, enabling students to design semiconductor chips using industry-standard platforms. These designs are then fabricated at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, providing students with practical experience from design to fabrication and testing. The electronics manufacturing sector has also seen substantial growth, exceeding Rs 13 lakh crore in production and maintaining a double-digit compound annual growth rate.

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He also assured industry leaders that compute capacity of India will be augmented as it is the need of the hour.