The Rise of Generative AI in India: Insights from Yotta’s CEO
In recent times, discussions surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI chatbots have become increasingly common in social gatherings. Many people are excited about how these technologies are simplifying their work, while others are still exploring their potential. Regardless of their level of experience, one thing is clear: generative AI is making significant strides in India.
The Launch of MyShakti
Yotta, a data center service provider, made headlines on February 4th by launching MyShakti, which is India’s first fully sovereign business-to-consumer (B2C) generative AI chatbot that runs on the DeepSeek platform. This innovative chatbot aims to cater to the emerging demand for AI tools in India.
Yotta is backed by the Hiranandani Group and has leveraged the open-source DeepSeek model, deploying it in their Navi Mumbai data center. This state-of-the-art facility is supported by an impressive infrastructure that includes 16 nodes of H100 GPUs. While MyShakti is currently in a beta testing phase, Yotta is optimistic about its potential to revolutionize AI usage in India.
India Deepens Its Commitment to AI
Yotta’s entry into the AI landscape comes at a time when the Indian government is investing heavily in artificial intelligence. The Union Budget 2025 allocated a significant sum of Rs 2,000 crores to the IndiaAI mission, which is expected to enhance AI capabilities throughout the country.
This initiative is part of a larger plan to increase AI computing power through GPU-based servers, utilizing a public-private partnership model. Following a thorough bidding process, ten companies, including Yotta, are set to supply GPUs, which is a significant step toward advancing AI infrastructure in India.
The Importance of GPUs
Sunil Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Yotta, explains that owning a large number of GPUs is invaluable in today’s tech landscape. Yotta currently holds around 90% of the available GPU capacity in India, with significant room for expansion.
The deployment of GPUs is a complex process that involves sophisticated software and hardware configurations. Many competing firms lack the necessary infrastructure to support GPUs, which could delay their entry into the market and open doors for Yotta to maximize its capabilities.
Progress Under the IndiaAI Mission
The IndiaAI mission is aimed at addressing existing barriers to AI adoption, particularly concerning costs. Traditionally, even affordable AI solutions still required significant investments, making it challenging for many companies. The government’s approach of funding users directly rather than subsidizing service providers may encourage more enterprises to invest in AI technologies.
Gupta mentions that after the government finalizes the list of suppliers for the IndiaAI project, there will likely be an uptick in demand for GPU purchases as companies are eager to leverage the funding available.
MyShakti: The Generative AI Chatbot
MyShakti, developed using DeepSeek’s original 70 billion parameter model, utilizes an app interface to enhance user experience. Despite mixed results, wherein some queries yield strong responses while others falter, Yotta is continuously working to improve its capabilities.
Future plans include rolling out a mobile app version and collaborating with Nvidia to optimize the platform further. The immense potential of the chatbot stems from its ability to provide detailed responses to user queries, thus distinguishing it from existing solutions in the market.
Addressing Privacy Concerns
A major concern in the AI sector is the issue of data privacy, particularly with models that are open-sourced. Gupta reassures that running the DeepSeek model on Yotta’s servers in India allows for complete control over data traffic, ensuring user data remains secure and localized.
By blocking access from external sources, Yotta ensures that sensitive information is never sent abroad, thereby enhancing trust in their AI solutions. This is comparable to using locally stored software, where users maintain control of their data instead of relying on cloud-based solutions.
Current Usage of GPUs
While Yotta’s GPUs had primarily been used for international projects, there’s now a growing trend for domestic usage. Companies are increasingly opting for local solutions due to data localization requirements and security concerns. Yotta anticipates that as demand rises for AI tools, its GPU resources will see full utilization.
Exciting Developments Ahead
Looking towards the future, Yotta has ambitious plans. The company aims to expand its focus beyond business-to-business (B2B) clients, venturing into the consumer space as well. The launch of MyShakti is just the beginning, with plans to develop an app to cater to individual users more effectively.
Yotta also has plans for an impending public listing, signaling its commitment to growth and transparency within the tech sector.
Conclusion
Yotta is at the forefront of India’s AI revolution, leveraging its extensive GPU resources and technological advancements to develop innovative solutions like MyShakti. With the government’s support and an increasing demand for AI capabilities, Yotta is poised to make a significant impact in the tech landscape, benefiting both businesses and consumers alike. The ongoing developments in generative AI underscore the country’s potential to lead in this rapidly evolving sector.