From Gen to Jan: The Third Path for India in Generative AI
Given India’s prowess in IT and the success of digital initiatives like Aadhaar, the country has a unique opportunity to establish Generative AI (GenAI) as a digital public good. Amidst a rapidly evolving technology landscape, India stands at the crossroads of innovation and public welfare.
Exploring the potential of GenAI as a digital public good in India.
Introduction
The launch of ChatGPT nearly two years ago ignited intense debate and enthusiasm across the technology landscape. While the initial excitement has somewhat subsided, the transformative potential of GenAI still holds massive implications for how humanity and machines will coexist. As noted by technology experts, “AI is not just a technology or a trend; it is a profound shift in how humans and machines interact.”
The Evolving AI Landscape
Organizations are on the brink of a paradigm shift from traditional software-as-a-service (SaaS) models to AI-driven service as software (New SaaS). This change mandates that human resource departments redefine roles to incorporate AI as collaborative partners. The rise of AI agents is set to revolutionize productivity—ushering in a new era where human-machine collaboration reaches unprecedented levels. However, ethical concerns regarding AI’s safety, privacy, and environmental impacts loom large, making it essential for policymakers to act decisively in this domain.
Geopolitical Dimensions of AI
The competitive landscape of AI development has split global powers into distinct camps, notably the United States and China. While the US relies heavily on a hands-off regulatory framework led by Big Tech, China is focused on a more controlled approach, embedding safeguards into its GenAI products. Conversely, regions like the European Union are pursuing regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act, underlining diverse paths to governing AI technologies.
India’s Strategic Position
In this complex geopolitical environment, India’s technological capabilities cannot be overstated. With over 6 million developers and a robust base of IT services contributing around $200 billion to software exports, India’s digital landscape is ripe for innovation. Despite witnessing a proliferation of AI startups and the government backing AI initiatives through the National AI Mission, challenges persist—particularly the absence of a sovereign large language model (LLM).
India’s growing tech ecosystem offers a wealth of opportunities for generative AI.
Proposed Third Path: JanAI
Rather than attempting to catch up with the leading AI nations, India should consider a distinct strategy: the establishment of GenAI as a digital public good, or JanAI—derived from the national ethos of collective welfare. This approach could mirror the success of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which has transformed services at a national scale. By treating GenAI as a public asset, India can empower citizens and foster inclusive growth.
The success of the Aadhaar initiative—providing biometric identities to billions and facilitating digital payments via UPI—has proven that large-scale digitization can be achieved effectively. By integrating GenAI into this framework, the potential for equitable access to intelligent technologies can be fully realized.
Lessons from Digital Public Goods (DPG)
The concept of Digital Public Goods hinges on accessibility, ethical standards, and community benefits—principles that must also guide the development of JanAI. Offering LLMs as public services would lay a foundation for inclusive access, driving literacy in AI among the populace. This could foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, bridging the digital divide that currently hampers cognitive advances in society.
Nandan Nilekani envisions AI as a force for social good: “We are not in an arms race to build the next LLM… We aim to empower people with technology.” Such sentiments encapsulate the potential of JanAI as a platform for generative creativity and knowledge-sharing.
Future Prospects
The Indian government can play a pivotal role in fostering a partnership among public institutions, leading tech firms, and academic organizations. By establishing a robust governance framework similar to UIDAI, India can ensure the ethical deployment of GenAI technologies.
In this envisioned partnership, Indian companies will have the opportunity to adapt and fine-tune LLMs tailored to local contexts, enabling a plethora of innovative products and services. Furthermore, this initiative can enhance AI literacy among the masses, equipping individuals with the knowledge needed to leverage technology in their daily lives.
Promoting AI literacy and innovative applications for the growing Indian populace.
Conclusion
Incorporating GenAI into India’s national framework as a digital public good promises to elevate the country to new heights of technological leadership, setting a precedent for others to follow. By harnessing the potential of GenAI for collective welfare, India can create a truly inclusive ecosystem—one where a billion-plus citizens thrive in a digitally empowered future.
Let us raise the floor by synthesizing the movements of Generative AI and Digital Public Goods into what can be an exemplar for the global community, showcasing that India can indeed become a beacon of opportunity in the Age of AI.
