Satya Nadella highlights how Indian villagers are helping Microsoft develop AI tools

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is in India on his annual visit, (right) Baby Rajaram Bokale reads a story in Marathi into the Karya app on her phone. (Image credit: AP, Microsoft)

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday revealed how villagers in India are helping the tech giant develop (artificial intelligence) AI tools. The tech leader is currently in the country as part of his annual visit with AI and the opportunities it presents as the focal point.

"Great to be in India this week meeting with changemakers like the team at Karya, who are doing the critical work of building high-quality datasets for AI—and expanding economic opportunity at the same time," Nadella wrote on X.

Great to be in India this week meeting with changemakers like the team at Karya, who are doing the critical work of building high-quality datasets for AI—and expanding economic opportunity at the same time. https://t.co/jJUDjnBUEo

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— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 7, 2024

Satya Nadella was referring to a social impact organisation in Maharashtra's Kharadi whose members lend their voice to Microsoft to train AI models in Marathi.

"In India, if you don’t speak Hindi or English, it can be difficult to access technology that helps people thrive -- apps, tools, and digital assistants that English and Hindi speakers take for granted. The fact that hundreds of millions of potential customers could benefit from those technologies is why Microsoft and others are in a race to make their products available in those 'under-resourced' languages," the tech giant stated.

Baby Rajaram Bokale, 53, is one of Karya's members whose voice will be used to train AI models in Marathi. She reads stories in Marathi and records them in Karya app approved by Microsoft. Over 11 days, Bokale worked about five hours and earned Rs 2,000.

“I’m really proud that my voice is getting recorded, and someone is about to learn Marathi thanks to my voice,” Bokale said, “and also proud that it will make these tools and features available in Marathi.”

She runs a small business grinding spices and chili peppers out of her home. “I used what I earned to buy a part and repair my grinder,” she said. “That’s money I wouldn’t normally have.”

Read more: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says AI has bridged gap between India and the world