DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has launched R1 LLM, an AI model surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT on various benchmarks. This has sparked a global AI stock selloff due to heightened competition and investment scrutiny.
DeepSeek's success, achieved with a budget of just $5.6 million, highlights the potential for cost-effective AI development. This has prompted experts to believe that India should consider developing its own foundational AI models.
India already has startups like Sarvam and Krutrim AI developing LLMs tailored to the local market. However, DeepSeek's model, with 671 billion parameters, emphasizes the need for multiple players in India's AI sector.
Experts suggest India focus on:
Developing Indic LLMs reflecting its linguistic and cultural diversity.
Upskilling the workforce through specialized training programs and AI literacy initiatives.
Enhancing AI research and developing foundational models.
Establishing governance and validation processes for AI solutions.
Major Indian IT firms are already enhancing their AI capabilities, with TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra leading the charge. These firms are focusing on cost-effective AI solutions, which could be game-changers for enterprise AI applications.