With 22 official languages, 121 languages, and over 19,500 dialects, India is the world’s most multilingual nation, where voice-first AI agents hold immense potential.

While the internet has recently revolutionised our lives, AI (artificial intelligence) is now rapidly becoming an integral part of our daily routines and professional fields. AI is profoundly reshaping our world in countless ways.

Following China’s DeepSeek making waves among global AI platforms like ChatGPT, Sarvam AI is set to launch its first indigenous large language model platform. This company has secured full government backing as the first beneficiary of the ₹10,370-crore IndiaAI Mission.

AI is a major global economic growth driver, enhancing efficiency and productivity. PwC’s 2024 report estimates a $15.7 trillion boost by 2030, with a significant gain to India. Furthermore, AI is projected to create over 20 million jobs in India, which highlights the necessity of reskilling professionals and youth for these emerging roles.

For multilingual India, voice-first AI agents offer a natural way to interact with technology. These human-like virtual assistants, powered by AI, understand local Indian languages, which comprehend context and tone, eliminating the need for typing.

Making the digital world accessible to millions of offline Indians, voice-first AI transforms complex tasks into simple spoken interactions, which benefits farmers, factory workers, and those seeking essential services.

Voice AI is revolutionising India’s retail, logistics, education, and governance sectors, with companies like AI LifeBOT and Perplexity AI offering accessible solutions for tasks from inventory to learning. 

However, this increasing adoption, which is crucial for Viksit Bharat, demands responsible data handling under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and requires investments in education and upskilling to fully empower micro-entrepreneurs and bridge the digital gap.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/ai-leap-for-multilingual-india/3825797/