Sarvam AI Chosen to Develop India's Premier Indigenous Foundational AI Model

Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based startup founded in 2023 by Dr. Vivek Raghavan and Dr. Pratyush Kumar, aims to build AI tailored for India's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape. The name "Sarvam," meaning "everything" in Sanskrit, reflects this inclusive vision.

• Major Government Mandate: In a significant boost to India's AI ambitions, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced that Sarvam AI has been selected under the IndiaAI Mission to build the nation's first indigenous AI foundational model.
• Company Mission: Sarvam AI focuses on developing generative AI solutions, including foundational language models and speech systems, specifically designed for India's unique multilingual needs, aiming to make AI truly "Indian at heart."
• Funding & Partnerships: The startup has raised $53.6 million from prominent investors like Lightspeed Venture Partners and Peak XV Partners. It works closely with the Indian government and has key partnerships, including one with Microsoft, to expand AI access.
• Key Products & Offerings: Sarvam AI's portfolio includes:
  • Sarvam Agents: Voice-enabled, multilingual AI agents.
  • Sarvam 2B: An open-source, 2-billion-parameter Indic language model.
  • Shuka 1.0: The first open-source Indian audio model for speech-to-text.
  • AI for Legal: Tools for document drafting and data extraction in the legal sector.
• Significance for India: Sarvam AI's selection is pivotal for India's AI evolution. By championing innovation rooted in Indian languages and context, supporting open-source development, and aiming to bridge the language gap, the company is poised to significantly contribute to a digitally inclusive India.
• Founders' Perspective: Founders Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar acknowledged this development as a "reckoning moment" for both the company and India's AI journey.

Sarvam AI's government mandate to build a sovereign foundational AI model underscores India's commitment to self-reliance in critical technologies and leveraging AI for inclusive growth.