Bengaluru, Oct 23 (FN Bureau) In a declaration of its commitment to open-source AI, Meta leaders Yann LeCun and Sandhya Devanathan highlighted the transformative potential of collaborative technology in empowering individuals and enhancing societal services. As India prepares to lead the global AI revolution, Meta’s partnerships with government agencies and support for local businesses underscore a strategic focus on leveraging open-source solutions to tackle pressing challenges and create an inclusive ecosystem for diverse populations. Initiatives like the Llama models are paving the way for tailored applications in sectors such as agriculture and education, harnessing India’s rich talent pool to drive innovation and significant societal change.
LeCun, Vice President and Chief AI Scientist at Meta, articulated the company’s vision for artificial intelligence, emphasising its commitment to open-source principles. “Meta’s approach is deeply intertwined with open-source, allowing us to harness a global pool of creativity and innovation. Our hope is to develop AI systems that empower individuals and drive societal transformation, fostering a shared AI infrastructure that reflects the world’s rich diversity,” LeCun , who is on India visit, stated at the “Build with AI Summit” on Wednesday. Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Head of Meta India, expressed confidence in India’s potential to lead in AI, drawing parallels to the country’s previous success in mobile internet.
“We believe in India’s capacity to lead in AI, much like it did with mobile internet. Our collaboration with government agencies and support for small businesses demonstrate how AI can address previously insurmountable challenges. With our Llama models and AI assistants like Meta AI, we are confident that India will be at the forefront of this AI revolution,” she affirmed. As AI reshapes industries worldwide, India is well-positioned to spearhead this transformation. Meta is dedicated to supporting India’s journey towards becoming a global AI powerhouse, fostering an inclusive ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of its population. By championing open-source technologies and collaboration, Meta aims to drive progress, prosperity, and inclusivity for all, heralding a new dawn for AI in India. Leading up to the summit, an AI Hackathon was organised to inspire developers and propel innovation through Meta Llama’s open platform. The event attracted over 1,500 registrations, culminating in more than 350 proposals from over 90 teams. Among the winners were CurePharmaAI, CivicFix, and evAIssment, with a special mention for SheBuilds, an all-women team that demonstrated remarkable ingenuity. Participants also had the opportunity to submit proposals for the Llama Impact Grants, with potential funding of up to $100,000 under the regional track and $500,000 for the global track.