IndiaAI and Meta Launch ‘Shrijan’ Center for Generative AI and YuvaAI Skilling Initiative at IIT Jodhpur

New Delhi: In a landmark step to advance open-source artificial intelligence in India, ‘IndiaAI’ and Meta today announced the establishment of the Center for Generative AI, Shrijan , at IIT Jodhpur, alongside the launch of the “YuvaAI Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building.” Partnering with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), this initiative aims to foster AI innovation by empowering India’s youth with critical skills in generative AI technologies.

The new Center of Excellence for Generative AI, Shrijan, will serve as a research and development hub focused on open-source AI applications, including Large Language Models (LLMs). Through hackathons, master training workshops, and startup support, Shrijan aims to engage young developers in exploring indigenous use cases for AI across diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, and mobility. The center also plans to provide resources for researchers, educators, and startups through strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms.

S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighted the importance of the collaboration between IndiaAI, IIT Jodhpur, AICTE, and Meta, stating, “These initiatives are pivotal in creating a robust ecosystem for groundbreaking research, skill development, and open-source innovation. Advancing AI technology while ensuring its responsible deployment will secure India’s leadership in the global AI landscape.”

Meta has pledged INR 750 Lakhs in funding over the next three years to support the development of Shrijan. IIT Jodhpur, supported by seed funding from Meta and IndiaAI, will oversee the center’s long-term sustainability through diverse revenue streams and partnerships. The center’s initiatives will be monitored by a joint committee from MeitY and Meta, fostering transparency and accountability in research advancements.

As part of the broader YuvaAI (Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI) initiative, Meta, MeitY, and AICTE are committed to equipping 100,000 young developers between the ages of 18-30 with skills in generative AI over the next three years. This initiative will empower youth to address real-world challenges using open-source LLMs, with a particular focus on critical areas like financial inclusion, smart cities, agriculture, healthcare, and education.

Key components of YuvaAI include:

• Gen AI Resource Hub: A repository of courses, case studies, and open datasets to support learning.
• LLM for Young Developers Course: Designed by Meta to introduce foundational AI concepts.
• Unleash LLM Hackathons: Events for students to create AI solutions for real-world issues, with top ideas receiving mentoring, seed grants, and market support.
• AI Innovation Accelerator: Identifying and supporting 10 student-led startups working with open-source AI models.

IIT Jodhpur’s Professor Mayank Vatsa shared his enthusiasm for Shrijan, remarking, “Srijan, meaning ‘Creation,’ will be a leading center for foundational models and generative AI research in India. Supported by Meta and MeitY, our mission aligns with IndiaAI’s objective to promote open science, foster a responsible research ecosystem, and equip the next generation of AI talent.”

With the backing of IndiaAI, IIT Jodhpur, AICTE, and Meta, the initiatives under Shrijan and YuvaAI are positioned to contribute significantly to India’s $5 trillion economy goal by nurturing the next generation of AI leaders. Last year, Meta partnered with IndiaAI to advance AI and emerging technologies in India and with the Ministry of Education to support programs with CBSE and AICTE for skill development.

Meta’s Vice President and Head of Public Policy in India, Shivnath Thukral, emphasized Meta’s dedication to open-source AI, stating, “Today’s partnership is testament to our deep commitment to furthering the advancement of emerging technologies in India. These initiatives will empower the next generation of innovators and equip them to address pressing real-world challenges, ultimately positioning India at the forefront of global AI advancements.”