IndiaAI: MeitY launches AI Kosha and GPU access portal to boost AI innovation

The IndiaAI Mission was launched on March 3, 2024

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on March 6 launched AI Kosha, a non-personal datasets platform, along with the GPU access portal under the IndiaAI Mission.

AI Kosha is designed to provide startups and researchers with access to datasets, enabling them to build AI technologies such as large language models (LLMs) and more.

The India Datasets Platform, one of the seven pillars of the ₹10,738-crore IndiaAI Mission, aims to streamline access to non-personal datasets for entrepreneurs and startups—crucial for developing AI technologies like foundational models. The platform has been in development for months and has undergone internal testing among various government agencies.

Additionally, the ministry launched the IndiaAI Compute Portal, which will allow startups and researchers to access graphics processing units (GPUs) procured under the IndiaAI Mission.

Of the 18,693 GPUs allocated under the mission, 12,896 are Nvidia H100 GPUs, 1,480 are Nvidia H200 GPUs, while the rest comprise high-performance AI chips from AMD, Intel, and AWS.

Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary in the IT ministry, stated, "The version of AI Kosha being launched today will initially include core data provided by ministries. Going forward, the dataset collection will be expanded."

MeitY Secretary S Krishnan emphasized that access to these datasets would enable startups and researchers to develop India-specific AI models, helping to address challenges such as AI bias.

The government has also launched the AI Compute Portal, with Krishnan confirming that 15,000 GPUs will be made available initially.

Last month, the government finalized 10 bidders to supply GPUs under the IndiaAI Mission, including vendors such as NVIDIA and AMD.

"The AI compute component is the largest part of the mission, with nearly 45% of the total funds allocated to the compute pillar," Krishnan added.

The government is collaborating with GPU providers to integrate API linkages that will enable seamless connections between service providers and the portal.