Google’s annual flagship event, “Google For India,” which took place today in New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan announced new efforts aimed at enhancing core products for India and collaborating with leading Indian companies in areas such as banking, finance, and cyber safety.

The event was attended by Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Just about 9 years back, mobile manufacturing was practically non-existent. Almost 98% of the mobile phones we used were imported. It is a significant achievement that Google has today announced the manufacturing of Pixel phones in India.”

Google revealed plans to improve access and bring in affordable data services throughout the country. Additionally, Google also plans to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India, highlighting the country’s importance as a priority market. The company aims to bring its top-tier hardware and software capabilities to a broader Indian audience.

Leveraging AI for Product Enhancement

Google said that it is improving user experiences through the application of AI. This includes reimagining the capabilities of search engines to better serve the information needs of users of the country. 

The introduction of new visual and local features to its generative AI-powered search experience aims to enhance user interactions with search results. Google is working on incorporating images, videos, and user reviews, along with providing easy access to essential information about government schemes. 

In addition, Google is facilitating small businesses’ online visibility and shoppers’ experiences through automatically generated high-quality catalogs using Generative AI.

Google Cloud and Axis My India have teamed up to make a new super-app called “a.” It aims to make government programs, daily services, jobs, and healthcare info more accessible. “a” uses Google Cloud’s Generative AI to provide personalised government info in real time for users in both rural and urban areas. Additionally, Google Cloud is working with ONDC to boost online sales for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and increase their revenue with Generative AI.

Google Offers Personal Loans 

Google Pay is collaborating with financial institutions, including banks and NBFCs, to create financial products aimed at bridging the credit gap in India. 

These products are underwritten by regulatory-approved financial institutions and are made accessible to users through the Google Pay platform. This initiative forms the basis of Google Pay’s Digital Pragati program, which seeks to provide formal credit access to millions of eligible but underserved Indians.

Strengthening Online Safety 

Google’s “DigiKavach” program is designed to combat online financial fraud at scale. It involves studying fraudulent methods, developing countermeasures against emerging scams, and collaborating with experts and partners to create a secure online environment. 

This includes support from The Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) to combat predatory digital lending apps on the Play Store in India. Google is working to protect users from scams, malware, and online fraud to build a trustworthy digital ecosystem.

Government and Local Business Partnership

The company is actively partnering with Indian government initiatives and local businesses to support India’s digital transformation. This includes collaborating with Bhashini to establish a Center of Excellence on Generative AI and Language Inclusivity, equipping professionals and students with generative AI knowledge and skills. 

Moreover, Google Cloud and ONDC have joined forces to facilitate seamless onboarding of FPOs onto the ONDC Network, enabling them to sell produce online. Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, is providing grants to organizations that leverage AI and technology to enhance agricultural outcomes and combat misinformation.