NASSCOM is a not-for-profit industry association, playing a leading role in providing employment opportunities in the private sector. It is the apex body for India’s $194B IT-BPM industry, making a significant contribution to the Indian GDP. Addressing the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said, “Looking at the image India’s technology has today globally, the country pins its hopes on you. A lot of aspirations ride on you.” 

This article collates the AI initiatives launched by NASSCOM, India, in 2021.

NASSCOM and Microsoft Jointly Announce ‘AI Gamechangers Programme’

The AI Gamechangers Programme is a joint effort from NASSCOM and Microsoft to accelerate AI innovation and integration in the country. The programme will acknowledge the efforts of innovators in their AI implementation. In addition, the AI innovators’ success stories will be highlighted during the annual compendium: Xperience AI Summit. In this regard, Debjani Ghosh, president of NASSCOM, has stated that the efforts made towards highlighting AI-based innovations in the country will motivate a larger ecosystem to leverage the opportunity, contributing towards India’s growth as a key player in AI-led innovation. 

NASSCOM and Andhra Pradesh Government Launch IoT and AI Centre in Vishakhapatnam 

In a joint partnership with MeiTY and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, NASSCOM launched the Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI at Vishakhapatnam’s Andhra University Campus, inaugurated on December 1, 2021. The Centre reflects the Union Government’s digital vision and comprises open labs, incubation facilities, etc., to promote innovation in the AI sector. In addition, the Centre will bring about new opportunities for development, funding, mentorship for startups and the IT sector in Vishakhapatnam. 

Xperience AI Virtual Summit, 2021

NASSCOM launched the second edition of its virtual summit – ‘Xperience AI Virtual Summit‘ – from August 3 to 6. The summit’s theme was ‘AI as a Catalyst for a better normal’ which delineated three key areas – Driving impact for a better world, India AI roadmap to scale adoption and Creating value with innovation. The summit brought together the entire AI ecosystem – government, practitioners, industry experts, and researchers. The key pillars of the summit were –

•  AI for Sustainability
•  AI for Pandemic Management
•  AI for All

The Indian AI roadmap covered discussions on 

• Building data and technology capabilities 
• Reimagining talent strategy 
• Policy imperatives – responsible use for AI 

The four-day summit was an immense success. Over 3,000 attendees from across industries and geographies met and interacted with over 60 thought leaders and AI practitioners for over 30 sessions, including deep tech workshops, keynotes, expert talks, practitioners chats, etc. 

NASSCOM CoE IoT and Taiwan-India AI Tech Collaboration 

In the light of a global semi-conductor shortage in 2020, NASSCOM CoE IoT and Taiwan-India AI Tech collaborated to explore avenues and enhance self-sustenance. Taiwan-India AI Tech is a research centre in Taiwan’s largest university and incubator of startups. The collaboration aims to aid Indian tech startups in sourcing hardware components from Taiwan in their prototype phase. The collaboration aims to: 

• Strengthen relations between the country 
• Facilitate in sourcing hardware and electronic components
• Boost in the market economy of both countries 

AI Patent Report Launched by NASSCOM and India AI

NASSCOM and India AI have jointly published a report titled ‘AI Patents – Driving Emergence of India as an AI Innovation Hub’. The move comes as an introduction of the patent landscape of AI at the AI Patent Power Hour digital event. The report presents an overview of the technological and legal perspective of AI patents. 

Revolutionizing AI 

NASSCOM is playing a revolutionary role in making India a global leader in AI innovation. The company has predicted that the AI industry can add $450 – $500B to the Indian economy. With the collaborations, reports, programmes, and summits being launched, there is certainly an effort to fast track the AI industry in India.