Google DeepMind on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative force, emphasizing its potential to drive significant societal changes. During a presentation, Manish Gupta, Senior Director of Google DeepMind, highlighted the pivotal role of AI in accelerating scientific discovery and enhancing human capabilities, particularly in India, which he described as at the forefront of leveraging AI for real-world solutions.
In a series of funding initiatives, Google announced an investment of USD 8 million to bolster AI Centers of Excellence in India, targeting sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and sustainable cities. Additionally, the company allocated USD 400,000 to support the development of India’s health foundation model, which aims to improve healthcare efficiency and outcomes across the country.
Google’s funding also extends to companies like Gnani.AI, CoRover.AI, and BharatGen, each receiving USD 50,000 to develop AI solutions for Indic languages. This move aligns with Google’s broader strategy, solidified last October when it announced a record investment of USD 15 billion to establish an AI infrastructure hub in Andhra Pradesh, which will include a gigawatt-scale data center in collaboration with the Adani Group.
“We see AI as a very powerful force for humanity,” Gupta stated. He noted the technology’s capability to tackle “root node problems,” or grand challenges, that could yield extensive benefits. The implications of AI extend beyond life sciences, impacting fields such as material science, clean energy, education, and agriculture. Gupta explained that AI is evolving from basic predictive and conversational functions to multi-modal reasoning and agentic capabilities, allowing models to act on behalf of users in a more human-like manner.
As AI models develop, they can now engage with users through various modes—text, voice, images, and video. This shift represents a significant advancement in AI’s ability to interact and perform tasks, moving beyond mere conversation to actionable assistance.
In conjunction with these investments, Google has partnered with Wadhwani AI, providing USD 4.5 million to develop multilingual AI-powered applications for health and agriculture. Furthermore, it is collaborating with ReNew Energy on a new 150 MW solar project in Rajasthan, aiming to reduce emissions across the energy value chain.
The funding for India’s health foundation model is part of a larger effort to enhance healthcare delivery. Google has designated USD 400,000 for new collaborations that will leverage ‘MedGemma’ to support the building of these models. In a notable partnership, Ajna Lens will collaborate with experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to address India-specific use cases in dermatology and outpatient department triaging.
These developments are crucial as Google aims to contribute to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, ensuring that the resulting models are accessible to a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the ecosystem. Researchers and AI experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will also explore broader clinical applications for AI technologies.
To further its inclusive AI agenda, Google has committed USD 2 million to establish the new Indic Language Technologies Research Hub at IIT Bombay. This initiative seeks to ensure that advancements in AI are reflective of India’s diverse linguistic landscape, aligning technological growth with cultural context.
With these strategic investments and collaborations, Google is poised to significantly impact India’s AI ecosystem, driving innovation while addressing pressing societal challenges. The company’s efforts underscore a growing recognition of AI not only as a tool for efficiency but as a catalyst for transformation across multiple sectors.
As AI continues to evolve, its integration into various facets of life and industry will likely shape future paradigms in technology, science, and community engagement.
For more information about Google DeepMind’s initiatives, visit their official site at DeepMind.
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