I&B Secretary urges AI startups to shape solutions for bridging linguistic divides

The Kalaa Setu and Bhasha Setu challenges on the WaveX startup accelerator platform of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are part of the Centre’s efforts to harness Artificial Intelligence to bridge linguistic divides, I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju said, urging AI startups to make most of the opportunity by participating in them.

Chairing a meeting of startups, working on AI/ML-based technology solutions, and incubators from across the country at T-Hub in Hyderabad on Thursday, the senior official said the Union Ministry is inviting AI startups to participate in the two challenges, details of which are available on the platform, and develop indigenous, scalable solutions reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country.

In order to ensure inclusive communication and last-mile information delivery in every language across the country, the Ministry is moving towards adopting AI-based solutions that can bridge linguistic divides, he said, seeking to highlight how the initiatives are in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage creator economy of the country.

The final shortlisted startups will get to present their solutions before a national jury in New Delhi. The winner will receive an MoU for full-scale development, pilot support with All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan (DD) and the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and incubation under the WaveX Innovation Platform.

Apart from T-Hub CEO and representatives of startups incubated at T Hub, the participants at the meeting included representatives of IIT Hyderabad, centres of excellence of NITs and engineering institutions with active innovation cells, PIB said in release on the programme.