MeitY to collaborate with IBM in AI, semiconductors

In order to influence the future, IBM and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have entered into a partnership. They will work together on quantum, AI, and semiconductor technologies.

Today, IBM inked Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Government of India on semiconductors, AI, and quantum. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, attended the event.

This body of work aims to enhance India’s National Quantum Mission, strengthen attempts to be self-reliant in semiconductors, and speed up its entire national AI plan.

Four months after the historic India-US joint declaration on bolstering semiconductor supply chains, the cooperation was announced.

“Just 4 months after the historic India-US joint declaration by @POTUS@JoeBiden & PM @narendramodi ji, @GoI_MeitY has entered into a partnership with @IBM in #Quantum, #AI & #Semiconductors – technologies that are set to shape the future,” Rajeev Chandrasekhar said.

These MoUs will enable MeitY to make use of IBM’s experience to strengthen India’s competitiveness and expand its growth strategy in the semiconductor, quantum, and AI sectors.

“IBM will support the #FutureSkills program with @NIELITIndia and partner with #FutureDESIGN startups in the areas of Quantum and AI,” added Chandrasekhar.

He claimed that working with IBM will greatly increase the ecosystem’s capabilities in AI, quantum innovation, and semiconductors.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “This is certainly a very important day because three of the four technologies that are going to shape the future of tech and innovation in the coming years – AI, Quantum and Semiconductor and the fourth…represent for us tremendous opportunities for our academic ecosystem, for the startups and innovation ecosystem in particular and of course, the broader opportunity of creating global standard talent in India that can take advantage of the opportunities in Quantum, Semiconductors and AI…”

The initiatives, under which IBM would collaborate with IndiaAI, ISM, and C-DAC, are intended to enhance and accelerate India’s innovation in these fields by concentrating on talent development, engaging ecosystems, and boosting R&D activities in semiconductors, AI, and quantum.

In order to support India’s scientific, commercial, and human capital development in this technology, Digital India Corporation intends to work with others to create a world-class national AI Innovation Platform (AIIP) for that country. This platform will concentrate on AI skilling, ecosystem development, and integrating advanced foundation models and generative AI capabilities.

For a semiconductor research facility, IBM would be a knowledge partner of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). In order to encourage innovation in semiconductor technologies like logic, advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration, and advanced chip design technologies using modernised infrastructure, IBM may share its experience with ISM on intellectual property, tools, initiatives, and skill development.

By developing competency in quantum computing technology, applications in fields of national interest, and a skilled quantum workforce, IBM and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will also look into opportunities for collaboration to support the advancement of India’s National Quantum Mission.

“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to be the trusted partner for India in Enhancing its innovation capabilities. Supporting the government’s efforts in building Infrastructure, enhancing human capital and knowledge creation in these three areas of Technology will be integral to India’s digital transformation and economic growth,” said Shri Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia.

A vision of India and the United States as two of the world’s closest allies—a relationship of democracies eagerly embracing the 21st century—was reinforced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden earlier in June.

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi agreed that technology will be crucial to strengthening our alliance. The founding of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 was welcomed by the leaders as a significant turning point in India-US ties.

The ratification of an MoU on the Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership was praised by Prime Minister Modi and Vice President Biden as an important step in the coordination of semiconductor incentive programmes.

This will support the growth of commercial possibilities, research, talent, and skills. The leaders applauded Micron Technology, Inc.’s news that it would spend up to USD 825 million, with assistance from the Indian government, to erect a new semiconductor assembly and testing plant in India.

To further the diversification of the semiconductor supply chain, Applied Materials will open a Semiconductor Centre for Commercialization and Innovation in India.

Lam Research’s “Semiverse Solution” will train 60,000 Indian engineers to further the country’s aims for manpower and educational growth in the semiconductor industry.

Public-private Joint Task Forces on the development and deployment of Open RAN systems as well as cutting-edge telecoms research and development have been established by India and the US.

The public-private research, which aims to lower costs, increase security, and improve the resiliency of telecommunication networks, will be co-led by Bharat 6G from India and the US Next G Alliance.

To support collaborative research on advanced wireless technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technology, the Joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism was developed.

Collaboration on ethical and trustworthy AI, particularly generative AI, will advance workforce efforts, business prospects, and AI education.

(With agency inputs)