IndiaAI and Meta announced the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Srijan, at IIT Jodhpur last Friday. They also launched the "YuvAi Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building" in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to advance open-source artificial intelligence (AI) in India.

"The partnership will enable the development of indigenous AI applications, advance skill development in AI, boost research capabilities with the aim of contributing to India’s AI mission of ensuring tech sovereignty and the vision of building AI solutions that are tailor made for India," Ministry of Electronics and IT said in a statement.

Center for Generative AI, Srijan at IIT Jodhpur

As part of this collaboration, Meta will support the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Srijan (GenAI CoE) at IIT Jodhpur. This GenAI CoE aims to advance research and development in AI while fostering the growth of responsible and ethical AI technologies in India. It will support and enhance open science innovation across the AI technology landscape, the partners said.

Through education, capacity building, and policy advisory, the center will empower researchers, students, and practitioners with the knowledge and tools necessary for the responsible development and deployment of GenAI technologies, the official release said.

Empowering India’s AI Future

The initiative will support India's goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by equipping the nation's youth to lead in the global AI arena, thereby securing India's position as a leader in technological advancement and economic growth.

Collaboration to Drive AI Innovation and Skill Development

On this occasion, Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy, Meta India said, "By emphasising the importance of open-source AI, Meta is committed to nurturing an ecosystem where indigenous solutions can flourish. Today's partnership is testament to our deep commitment to furthering the advancement of emerging technologies in India, while aligning seamlessly with IndiaAI mission. These initiatives will empower the next generation of innovators and equip them with the tools to address pressing real-world challenges, ultimately propelling India to be at the forefront of global AI advancements."

AI for Skilling and Capacity Building Initiative

Meta, in collaboration with MeitY and the AICTE, also launched the "YuvAi Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building." This program aims to bridge the AI talent gap in the country by empowering 100,000 students and young developers aged 18-30 to leverage open-source large language models (LLMs) to address real-world challenges.

The initiative aims to build capacity in generative AI skills by utilising open-source LLMs while fostering AI innovation across key sectors. Over the next three years, it will train one lakh youth, developers, and entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to India's AI ecosystem across critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities, and financial inclusion.

This will include the establishment of a GenAI Resource Hub with courses, case studies, and open datasets; an LLM for Young Developers Course designed by Meta; and Master Training Activation Workshops to introduce participants to foundational AI concepts.

The program will also include LLM Hackathons, and the AI Innovation Accelerator will identify and support 10 student-led startups experimenting with open-source AI models.

Srijan: Center for GenAI Research

Dr Mayank Vatsa, a professor at IIT Jodhpur, stated that Srijan, meaning "creation," will be a leading center for Foundation Models and Generative AI research in India, focusing on innovation with ethical and responsible use.

Last year, Meta partnered with IndiaAI to advance AI and emerging technologies in India. Additionally, Meta collaborated with the Ministry of Education to empower students and educators through programs with CBSE and AICTE.