The government is contemplating a pilot project to establish sector-specific data trusts at IIT Hyderabad. This initiative aims to provide high-quality Indian datasets for artificial intelligence (AI) development while ensuring secure and responsible access. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned this during an interaction with industry leaders, indicating that the proposal stemmed from discussions with industry representatives who recommended setting up data trusts in Indian educational institutions.
Vaishnaw expressed openness to the idea and suggested starting the pilot project at IIT Hyderabad in collaboration with industry partners. The envisioned framework involves securely hosting sector-specific Indian datasets within these data trusts, accompanied by clearly defined usage policies. These datasets would be accessible to startups, researchers, and companies engaged in developing AI applications, with a focus on ensuring responsible usage and appropriate safeguards.
The minister emphasized that such initiatives could enhance India’s AI ecosystem by facilitating access to trusted domestic datasets. These datasets are crucial for creating indigenous AI models and applications. Additionally, Vaishnaw highlighted the significant growth of India’s electronics manufacturing sector, noting that production has exceeded Rs 13 lakh crore. He pointed out that electronics now rank as India’s third-largest export category, with mobile phones emerging as the country’s top individual export product. This trend underscores India’s evolution into a reputable global manufacturing and technology hub.
Vaishnaw also mentioned India’s progress towards becoming a reliable global partner in electronics manufacturing. He inaugurated Jabil’s advanced manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, emphasizing that the high-tech plant will produce components for AI data centers. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World,’ reflecting India’s commitment to global manufacturing excellence.
