India leveraging Parliament data for indigenous AI development

The Indian government has signed an agreement to use data from Parliament to develop a local artificial intelligence (AI) model. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this on March 18, 2025, during a discussion at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. Vaishnaw explained that the Parliament dataset will enhance the training of AI models. He also noted that data from sources like Doordarshan and All India Radio will be valuable. A total of 14,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) are available at a facility to support machine learning tasks. The minister emphasized the need for India to create its own large language models, stating that the future of AI models may not always be open source. The government is collaborating with industry professionals and educators to build these models. Vaishnaw highlighted India's plans to develop GPU capabilities in the next few years. He mentioned that despite challenges like tariff wars with the U.S., the focus remains on proprietary technology. He also pointed to the importance of U.S.-India partnerships in AI development, noting that collaboration can lead to mutual benefits. AI applications in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and education are priorities for the government. Vaishnaw shared examples of successful AI use in agriculture in Maharashtra, where farmers saw significant increases in crop yields. The immediate goal for India is to equip startups and researchers with the necessary tools and skills. The government is also looking to adapt university curriculums to produce a skilled workforce for the AI industry. Vaishnaw urged the importance of responsible technology use that benefits society.