'Don't waste time on models': Nandan Nilekani explains why data is more important in AI for India
Nandan Nilekani argues that market forces will naturally favor permissive open-source models over restrictive ones, as competition drives developers to choose accessible options that flourish commercially. This perspective highlights the critical intersection of open standards and economic viability in technology ecosystems. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure has revolutionized national services through interoperable, secure building blocks like Aadhaar and UPI. By creating digital capital from transaction data, this framework has significantly expanded financial inclusion and credit access for millions, demonstrating how robust infrastructure can solve large-scale societal challenges efficiently. Applying AI through an “outside-in” lens democratizes knowledge by focusing on affordable, task-specific models for regional languages and sectors like healthcare. This approach ensures technology remains accessible to the masses, proving that open, data-centric AI strategies are essential for inclusive economic growth and practical innovation in developing nations.
Source: businesstoday.inPublished on 2023-12-14