Topics In Demand
Notification
New

No notification found.

AI/ML for Bharat: Designing Inclusive AI for India’s Next Billion Users
AI/ML for Bharat: Designing Inclusive AI for India’s Next Billion Users

April 23, 2025

AI

13

0

The Next Frontier: Bharat, Not Just India

India’s digital transformation is widely celebrated—but the real test lies in reaching Bharat, the rural and semi-urban heart of the country. While metros enjoy high-speed internet, smart devices, and AI-powered services, millions across India face language barriers, digital illiteracy, and infrastructure gaps.

To truly include the next billion users, AI/ML must go beyond urban use cases and become linguistically inclusive, culturally aware, and infrastructure-light.

Inclusive AI: The Need of the Hour

Current AI systems, trained largely on English-centric data and urban behaviors, risk deepening the digital divide. In Bharat:

  • 70%+ users prefer regional languages

  • Majority rely on low-end mobile phones

  • Internet is often spotty or unavailable

  • Digital literacy is a barrier, not a given

It’s time for a fundamental shift. Inclusive AI means designing for access, not just scale.

Mobile-First, Vernacular-First AI: The Game Changer

💬 Vernacular AI Agents

AI systems need to speak the language of the user. This includes:

  • Supporting voice and text in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, and regional dialects

  • Understanding code-mixed inputs ("Hinglish", "Tanglish")

  • Applications in agriculture, healthcare, e-governance, and fintech

Generative AI, Tailored for Bharat

Generative models can now produce:

  • Local-language content, FAQs, government notifications

  • AI tutors that adapt to regional curriculums

  • Rural storytelling bots that communicate via audio-first interfaces

Edge AI for Offline Bharat

  • On-device ML models reduce cloud dependency

  • Enable offline voice assistants, useful in health and fieldwork

  • Reduce latency and data costs

 

Real-World Impact: AI Use Cases for Bharat

Sector Inclusive AI Use Case
Healthcare Vernacular diagnostic bots for ASHA workers
Agriculture Predictive alerts for crop diseases in regional languages
Fintech Voice-first banking and fraud alerts
Education AI tutors supporting state board syllabi in local tongues

 

What India Needs to Scale Inclusive AI

  • Diverse language datasets for training regional models

  • Low-code AI tools for startups and local developers

  • Ethical frameworks ensuring fairness and bias mitigation

  • Public-private partnerships to democratize AI infrastructure

AI for All, Not Just the Few

India’s true digital leap will come when every voice counts—regardless of language, literacy, or location.

Inclusive AI isn’t a choice. It’s a responsibility.

 


That the contents of third-party articles/blogs published here on the website, and the interpretation of all information in the article/blogs such as data, maps, numbers, opinions etc. displayed in the article/blogs and views or the opinions expressed within the content are solely of the author's; and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of NASSCOM or its affiliates in any manner. NASSCOM does not take any liability w.r.t. content in any manner and will not be liable in any manner whatsoever for any kind of liability arising out of any act, error or omission. The contents of third-party article/blogs published, are provided solely as convenience; and the presence of these articles/blogs should not, under any circumstances, be considered as an endorsement of the contents by NASSCOM in any manner; and if you chose to access these articles/blogs , you do so at your own risk.


© Copyright nasscom. All Rights Reserved.