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Project Indus: Tech Mahindra's Initiative to Challenge OpenAI
Project Indus: Tech Mahindra's Initiative to Challenge OpenAI

Project Indus: Tech Mahindra's Initiative to Challenge OpenAI

Tech Mahindra head CP Gurnani recently took to Twitter to request speakers of Indic languages to contribute to the project

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Key takeaways

  • Tech Mahindra is developing an indigenous Large Language Model named Project Indus, focusing on multiple Indic languages.
  • The model aims to support around 40 different Indic languages, starting with Hindi.
  • CP Gurnani has invited speakers of Indic languages to contribute their vocabulary and expressions to enhance the dataset.
  • The initiative faces challenges due to the limited availability of Indic language datasets.
  • Project Indus aligns with similar efforts like Bhashini, aimed at promoting and preserving Indic languages through technology.
5 min

Indian IT giant Tech Mahindra is working on an indigenous Large Language Model (LLM) that would have the ability to speak in many Indic languages, most notably Hindi.

Called Project Indus, the model will have the ability to speak in 40 different Indic languages, to begin with. More languages that have originated in the country will also be added subsequently. 

Tech Mahindra head CP Gurnani recently took to Twitter to request speakers of these languages to contribute to the project with their expressions, vocabulary, and conversations.

Building an LLM needs a big dataset, and the scarcity of Indic language datasets is a challenge. The approach taken by the IT giant is similar to that of Bhashini, a project launched by Narendra Modi to build datasets on Indic languages. 

Speakers of languages such as Dongri (Jammu & Kashmir), Kinnauri, Kangri, Chambeli, Garhwali, (Himachal), Kumaoni, Jaunsari ( Uttar Pradesh), Bhojpuri, Maithili,  and Magahi ( Bihar), among others can contribute to the project.

Previously, Gurnani, responding to a Sam Altman tweet, confirmed that Tech Mahindra is building an LLM specifically for India.

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