India has taken a decisive step toward AI self-reliance with the launch of myShakti, the country’s first sovereign generative AI chatbot, built on the Chinese open-source AI model DeepSeek. Developed by Mumbai-based Yotta Data Services, myShakti represents India’s growing push to reduce dependence on foreign AI technologies while ensuring data security and sovereignty.
This move comes at a time when DeepSeek AI, a company founded in 2023, is making waves globally with its cost-effective and resource-efficient AI models. DeepSeek recently launched DeepSeek-V3, a free AI assistant that claims to outperform existing services while operating on significantly lower computational costs. Additionally, its AI model Janus-Pro-7B for image generation is said to rival OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 and Stability AI’s Stable Diffusion.
A Strategic Play for India’s AI Future
Yotta Data Services, co-founded by Darshan Hiranandani and Sunil Gupta in 2023, has been making aggressive moves in India’s AI and cloud infrastructure space. Originally a data center services provider, Yotta has expanded into cloud services, IT security, and AI-driven solutions.
In March 2024, Yotta became the first Indian company to secure a major AI investment from NVIDIA, which supplied 16,000 high-performance chips, signaling a strong AI focus. More recently, Yotta was shortlisted by the Indian government for the final bidding process in the IndiaAI Mission, a strategic initiative to procure 10,000 GPUs for building domestic AI capabilities.
With myShakti, Yotta aims to accelerate AI adoption across businesses, researchers, and startups while lowering the cost barriers that have traditionally hindered AI deployment in India. Unlike proprietary AI systems controlled by Western tech giants, DeepSeek’s open-source model allows for customization and cost efficiency, making it a pragmatic choice for India’s AI ambitions.
India’s Sputnik Moment for AI?
The launch of myShakti aligns with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s call to host DeepSeek within Indian borders. Hiranandani sees this as a pivotal moment—comparing it to India’s mobile revolution, which made connectivity ubiquitous and affordable. “This is India’s Sputnik moment for AI,” he remarked, referencing the historic 1957 Soviet satellite launch that ignited a space race. The comparison underscores the belief that India now has a strategic opportunity to lead AI innovation instead of merely consuming foreign-developed technology.
DeepSeek’s rapid ascent in the AI space has challenged the traditional AI paradigm that relies on brute computational force. While models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 require vast GPU clusters and billions in investment, DeepSeek has demonstrated that efficiency and intelligent model training can achieve competitive results at a fraction of the cost. The model was reportedly trained using just $5.6 million worth of older GPUs, proving that AI advancement does not necessarily require cutting-edge silicon.
A Shift Towards AI Independence
The debate over AI sovereignty has intensified, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Project Stargate, an initiative aimed at maintaining American dominance in AI. With global AI geopolitics in flux, India’s strategic investment in domestic AI capabilities is no longer optional—it is imperative.
Other Indian players are also recognizing this shift. Abhishek Upperwal, CEO of Soket AI Labs, has expressed his intent to build DeepSeek-style AI innovation in India, while Ola’s AI division, Krutrim, has already integrated DeepSeek models into its cloud infrastructure.
India is at a crucial juncture. By investing in open-source AI and building on local infrastructure, the country can craft AI solutions tailored to its linguistic, cultural, and business needs—without ceding control to foreign entities. With myShakti leading the charge, India may well be on the path to reshaping its digital future, ensuring AI self-reliance and competitiveness in an era dominated by global tech giants.
