Key Takeaways
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declares data as ‘the new oil’ and data centres as ‘the new refineries’
- India achieves second-largest 5G network globally with 90% coverage
- Indigenous AI model from Sarvam expected by December-January
- Over 13 countries already using India’s UPI framework
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has positioned data as the driving force behind India’s digital growth, calling it ‘the new oil’ while describing data centres as ‘the new refineries.’ Speaking at the NDTV Word Summit in New Delhi, the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology outlined India’s comprehensive digital transformation roadmap.
Vision for Self-Reliant Digital India
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the government’s commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in critical minerals and digital infrastructure. “We must make sure that the talent in our country finds opportunities here rather than going out,” he stated, highlighting the focus on retaining skilled professionals within India.
Digital Public Infrastructure Expansion
The minister revealed that the government is “going big on digital credit” as part of efforts to make financial services more accessible through technology. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) continues to gain international recognition, with more than 13 countries already utilizing the UPI framework and over 50 nations expressing interest in implementing the Aadhaar architecture.
5G Achievement and Global Impact
India’s rapid 5G deployment has drawn worldwide attention, with the minister noting: “India rolled out 5G at a pace that amazed the world. We have the second-largest 5G network in the world. This helped us reach out to far-flung areas. About 90 per cent of the country is covered with 5G network.”
Artificial Intelligence Advancements
Vaishnaw announced significant progress in artificial intelligence, revealing that Bengaluru-based startup Sarvam will launch its indigenous AI model by December this year or January next year. The minister expressed excitement about using Sarvam’s model once released.
He also welcomed Google’s proposal to establish a $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam, stating it would significantly boost AI research capabilities in India. “It is crucial that our nation has computer facilities. The ability to conduct quality research and create AI applications will greatly improve once we have them,” he emphasized.
6G: The Next Frontier
Looking ahead, Vaishnaw described 6G as a completely different paradigm that will replace current 4G and 5G networks. “6G will be completely different — a new paradigm. Everything in your hand will be a part of that network,” he stated, indicating the transformative potential of next-generation telecom technology.
