The Principal Scientific Advisor of India has announced the establishment of a high-powered committee tasked with investigating the development of Large Language Models (LLMs). LLMs are a specific type of generative AI model that are designed to comprehend and produce text that resembles human language. They’re built using deep learning techniques, specifically neural networks, and can generate coherent and contextually appropriate text from a given prompt or input. A well-known example of an LLM is OpenAI’s GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer).
The Essence of Generative AI
Generative AI falls under a subcategory of artificial intelligence dedicated to creating systems capable of generating content similar to that produced by humans. These systems learn from patterns in existing data, then use this knowledge to produce new, original content, which could range from text and images to music and more.
US-India Collaboration in Deep Tech
India and the U.S. have been fostering a strong relationship particularly in the deep tech sphere. The draft policy on deep tech in India reveals that over 10,000 startups, as listed in the Startup India database, operate in various deep tech areas. This robust representation aligns well with the ongoing U.S.-India partnership.
Understanding Deep Tech
Deep tech refers to a class of startup businesses that develop novel offerings hinged on substantial engineering innovation or scientific discoveries. Such startups often deal in fields like agriculture, life sciences, chemistry, aerospace and green energy amongst others. Deep tech fields such as Artificial Intelligence, advanced materials, blockchain, biotechnology, etc., are rapidly moving from early research to market application.
Characteristics and Challenges of Deep Tech
Deep tech innovations often disrupt existing markets or create new ones. These innovations significantly impact lives, economies and societies. However, the journey from technology development to market-ready maturity can take significantly longer than for shallow technology development like mobile apps and websites. Additionally, deep tech often requires substantial early-stage funding for research and development, prototyping, validating hypotheses and technology development. For deep-tech startups, less than 20% receive financing, making funding one of the biggest challenges.
The Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP), 2023
This policy aims to strengthen research and development in deep tech start-ups, which focus on fundamental, technical problems, unlike firms that monetize technology with unique business models. The policy also seeks to find approaches to finance deep tech start-ups at critical stages, such as before they market their products or ideas.
Facilitating Startups
The NDTSP seeks to simplify intellectual property regime for such start-ups, ease regulatory requirements, and implement measures that promote these firms. The policy proposes the creation of an “Inter Ministerial Deep Tech Committee” to regularly review the needs of the deep tech ecosystem and ensure its smooth functioning.
The Role of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India
India has had a Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) since 1999, with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam being the first to hold this position from 1999-2001. The PSA’s office is tasked with providing pragmatic and objective advice to the Prime Minister and the cabinet in matters related to Science and Technology. The Office of PSA was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat in 2018. It works alongside the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.
The Nine National Missions under PM-STIAC
Supported by the project management team at Invest India, the Office of PSA is facilitating the progress of all Nine national missions under PM-STIAC. Four of these missions – Deep Ocean Mission, Natural Language Translation mission, AI mission, and Quantum Frontier mission have been approved.
