Zoho Founder Outlines India's Distinctive AI Development Path
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has articulated that India is charting a unique and pragmatic course in artificial intelligence development, diverging from the approaches of major global players. During an interview with news agency ANI at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Vembu emphasized the nation's strategic focus on investing in compact, efficient, and cost-effective AI models.
Investing in Unglamorous Yet Effective AI Models
Vembu elaborated that while these smaller models might not attract widespread attention or glamour, they are precisely tailored to meet India's specific requirements. "I think we are investing in a lot of the smaller models. Those should be unglamorous right now, but they get the job done," he stated. He pointed to the startup Sarvam as a prime example, noting its launch of models with a reduced footprint.
He further explained, "This is going to be the norm in India where a lot of smaller resource-efficient, energy-efficient models will emerge, and then we'll scale up over time as the costs decline." This phased strategy allows for gradual expansion while maintaining efficiency and affordability.
India's Youth: A Key Advantage in AI Adoption
According to the ANI report, Vembu also highlighted India's significant demographic advantage, attributing it to the country's vast youth population. "With our vast youth population, we have the most AI-enthusiastic population in the world. We are adopting AI faster than any other nation," he noted. He added that Indian youth are already at the forefront of technology adoption and are actively creating new opportunities in the field.
Zoho's Rapid AI Integration and Future Plans
Vembu shared insights into Zoho's own AI initiatives, revealing that the company is swiftly deploying AI to enhance software development processes. "Right now we are rapidly deploying AI in software development. We are seeing massive productivity gains from it," he said. He announced plans to expand this adoption across the entire organization over the next year, aiming to leverage AI for broader operational improvements.
AI's Impact on Workforce and Job Creation
Addressing concerns about AI's effect on the workforce in India, Vembu expressed optimism, drawing parallels with previous technological waves. He believes that AI will similarly generate new employment opportunities. "I think there will be new jobs created, and software engineers will have to get closer to the customer to solve their problems," he told ANI. This perspective underscores a shift towards more customer-centric roles in the tech industry.
