Ola, the ride-hailing giant, is poised to make a quantum leap in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor chips by launching India’s first-ever AI chip by 2026.
Ola’s AI Ambitions: Challenging Global Tech Giants
Ola’s co-founder and CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, has long been a vocal proponent of India’s technological sovereignty. He believes that the country must take control of its technological future, lest it become merely a “monthly active user farm for global companies.” To this end, Ola has established its AI subsidiary, Krutrim, with the sole purpose of developing an indigenous AI chip that can rival the offerings of industry titans like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel.
Forging Strategic Partnerships: Ola’s Global Collaborations
To bring this ambitious project to fruition, Ola has forged strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading tech companies. The company has joined forces with ARM, the renowned chip design company, as well as Untether AI, a Canadian AI specialist, to leverage their expertise and accelerate the development of the AI chip.
Navigating the Global Semiconductor Landscape
Ola’s AI chip ambitions extend beyond just the chip design itself. The company is also actively exploring the global semiconductor manufacturing landscape, with a keen eye on Taiwan and South Korea – the undisputed leaders in this domain. Aggarwal has even visited Taiwan, where he has found the ecosystem to be “keen on partnering with India” in this endeavour.
Krutrim: Ola’s AI Powerhouse
At the heart of Ola’s AI chip initiative lies Krutrim, the company’s dedicated AI subsidiary. Krutrim is not only working on the development of the AI chip but has also unveiled the Krutrim Cloud – a suite of AI and general-purpose capabilities that promises to empower the developer community in building cutting-edge products.
Democratizing AI: Krutrim’s Free Cloud Services
In a bold move to foster innovation and support the developer community, Krutrim has made its entire range of data center services, worth a staggering Rs 100 crore, completely free for both developers and enterprises until the upcoming Diwali festival. This initiative aims to democratize access to AI technologies, enabling more individuals and businesses to harness the power of these transformative tools.
Integrating Homegrown Battery Tech
Ola’s commitment to technological sovereignty extends to its electric vehicle offerings as well. The company plans to integrate its indigenous Bharat 4680 cell into its vehicles starting the first quarter of the financial year ending March 2026. This homegrown battery technology, currently undergoing trial production at Ola’s Gigafactory, will be a significant milestone for India’s EV ecosystem.
Ola Consumer: Expanding Ride-Sharing Horizons
Ola’s technological prowess is not limited to its AI and EV ventures. The company has also rebranded its ride-sharing business, previously known as Ola Cabs, as Ola Consumer. This move signals the company’s intent to expand its presence in new cities and offer a wider range of services to its growing customer base.
Empowering the ONDC Ecosystem
As part of its commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem, Ola Consumer will provide one year of free Krutrim Cloud access to all ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) suppliers, including startups and small and medium enterprises. This initiative aims to support the growth and development of the ONDC network, which is poised to revolutionize India’s digital commerce landscape.
Ola’s D2C Ambitions
In addition to its support for ONDC suppliers, Ola Consumer is also extending its Krutrim Cloud services to direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. These brands will be granted one year of free access to the Krutrim Cloud, further strengthening Ola’s commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and empowering innovative businesses.
Ola’s Roadmap: Charting the Future of Indian Tech
As Ola navigates the complex and ever-evolving world of technology, its ambitious plans for an indigenous AI chip and its diverse ventures in electric mobility and ride-sharing underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to shaping India’s technological future. With strategic partnerships, homegrown innovations, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Ola is poised to redefine the boundaries of what is possible, positioning itself as a true trailblazer in the Indian tech landscape.
Conclusion
Ola’s journey towards launching India’s first AI chip by 2026 is a testament to the company’s vision, determination, and belief in the country’s technological potential. By leveraging strategic collaborations, fostering innovation, and empowering the developer community, Ola is not only challenging global tech giants but also paving the way for a future where India’s technological sovereignty is firmly established.
As the world watches with bated breath, Ola’s quantum leap into the realm of AI and semiconductors promises to be a game-changer, redefining the boundaries of what is possible for the Indian tech ecosystem.
