BharatGen Unveils Param2, India's Sovereign AI Model

BharatGen, housed at the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Bombay, has unveiled Param2, a 17-billion-parameter multilingual model. This model is part of India's effort to develop sovereign AI, built on the country's own data and compute.

The development of Param2 is backed by the government's IndiaAI Mission. According to Rishi Bal, CEO of BharatGen, the model is designed to be affordable and accessible, hitting the sweet spot in terms of affordability and quality.

In an exclusive conversation, Rishi Bal explained that BharatGen is committed to building models that serve all citizens, rather than chasing scale. The company believes that India needs to build the most useful models, rather than the biggest ones.

BharatGen's approach to sovereignty is centered around data, compute, and infrastructure. The company has built over 20 trillion tokens of indigenous data and is working with multiple chip providers and data centre providers. This approach ensures that BharatGen's models are insulated from dependence on foreign chips, cloud, or training data.

Rishi Bal emphasized that sovereignty is a guarantee of access, control, and knowledge of what's gone into the AI. This guarantee is essential for building trust in AI models, especially for government and enterprise use.

The development of Param2 is a significant step towards India's goal of developing sovereign AI. With its commitment to affordability, accessibility, and sovereignty, BharatGen is charting a different course in the AI landscape.

The company's approach is also reflected in its research team, which consists of over 60 researchers, and a 100-strong intern pipeline. This team is shaping the roadmap for BharatGen's future developments.

In the context of global events, BharatGen's sovereign AI model is designed to survive any geopolitical shock, whether a war or a tariff war. The company's focus on sovereignty ensures that its models are resilient and can continue to function regardless of external factors.

The unveiling of Param2 is a significant milestone for India's AI ecosystem. It demonstrates the country's commitment to developing sovereign AI and its potential to build models that serve all citizens.

In conclusion, BharatGen's Param2 model is a significant step towards India's goal of developing sovereign AI. With its commitment to affordability, accessibility, and sovereignty, the company is charting a new course in the AI landscape.

The development of Param2 has significant implications for India's AI ecosystem and its potential to build models that serve all citizens. As the country continues to develop its AI capabilities, the focus on sovereignty will remain a key aspect of its strategy.