IBM, on Thursday, announced the signing of three Memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with three entities engaged with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to advance and accelerate innovation in AI, Semiconductor and quantum technology for India. This body of work will aim to accelerate India’s comprehensive national strategy for AI, strengthen efforts to be self-reliant in Semiconductors and advance its National Quantum Mission.
These MoUs will help MeitY access IBM’s expertise to build and advance India’s Competency and scale its growth mission in the AI, semiconductor and quantum industries. The activities are intended to focus on the following:
These MoUs are expected to facilitate MeitY in tapping into IBM’s proficiency to construct and enhance India’s capabilities and expand its growth trajectory within the AI, semiconductor, and quantum sectors. The endeavors are set to concentrate on the following:
- IBM and IndiaAI, in conjunction with the Digital India Corporation, aim to establish a state-of-the-art national AI Innovation Platform (AIIP) in India. This platform will prioritize AI skilling, fostering an ecosystem, and integrating advanced foundational models and generative AI capabilities to support the scientific, commercial, and human capital development in this domain. The AIIP will function as an accelerator for incubating and cultivating competence in AI technologies, emphasizing their application in nationally significant use cases. Furthermore, the AIIP will have access to pertinent capabilities of IBM’s watsonx platform, including the option to utilize models in language, code, and geospatial science, with the intention to train models for other domains as required.
- IBM will serve as a knowledge partner to the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) for a semiconductor research center. IBM intends to share its expertise with ISM on intellectual property, tools, initiatives, and skills development, all aimed at fostering innovation in semiconductor technologies, such as logic, advanced packaging, and heterogeneous integration, as well as advanced chip design technologies, utilizing modernized infrastructure.
- IBM and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will explore potential collaborations to support the advancement of India’s National Quantum Mission by fostering expertise in quantum computing technology, applications in areas of national interest, and a skilled quantum workforce. The activities will primarily focus on workforce empowerment, the development of industries and startups, research and development, as well as quantum services and infrastructure.
“Looking ahead, the trio of Semiconductors, AI, and Quantum holds the key to a transformative future. These technologies are set to open up vast possibilities for our academic institutions, startups, and innovation ecosystem. The real potential lies in nurturing a skilled workforce in India that can harness the opportunities presented by quantum computing, AI, and semiconductors on a global scale. We extend our congratulations to IBM and express gratitude for their collaboration with the Ministry. It is heartening to witness the swift convergence of the Ministry, IBM, and the Government of India, leading to the signing of these MoUs that undoubtedly align with PM Modi’s visionary goals,” commented Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.