Bangalore On IT, A Public Lecture By Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam.Ai At IIIT-Bangalore

The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore organized its annual Public Lecture series "Bangalore on IT" on November 6, 2024, at IIIT-Bangalore.

This year's guest speaker was Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam.AI. He spoke on the topic "Building Generative AI for a Billion Voices."

Bangalore on IT is a public Lecture series of IIIT-Bangalore and it is an annual series. Originally launched in the institute's early years, the ‘Bangalore on IT’ was relaunched in January 2019. The series aims to bridge academia, industry, and the public by bringing in eminent thought leaders working at the forefront of research and technology. We aim to foster innovation and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.  Through these lectures, our community gains valuable insights from experts addressing today’s most pressing technological advancements and challenges. ‘Bangalore On IT’ is more than just a technical platform; it's a space to explore the societal implications of technology.

“We are happy to host Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-founder of Sarvam.AI, at this year’s "Bangalore On IT", public lecture series. His groundbreaking work in developing generative AI for India's multilingual landscape is not only pioneering but also essential in shaping the future of technology for a billion voices. Dr. Raghavan’s insights into training AI models with diverse datasets and his dedication to advancing Indian language AI are truly inspiring and align with our vision of fostering innovation through inclusive technology” said Prof. Debrabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore.

"Addressing young minds at the Bangalore on IT public lecture by IIIT-Bangalore is an opportunity to share Sarvam AI's mission of building Generative AI for a billion voices. This is truly a thoughtful event, and our work focuses on creating accessible, inclusive AI for every Indian by curating high-quality, diverse data and developing foundational models that reflect India’s linguistic diversity. Through our Indian language voice initiatives, we aim to demonstrate how AI can address nation-scale challenges and empower voices across the country” said Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam.Ai.

In an inspiring session attended by over 600 people, Dr. Vivek Raghavan, co-founder of Sarvam AI, captivated the audience with his insights into the transformative potential of generative AI and foundational AI technologies for Indian languages. At 'Bangalore on IT' public lecture series hosted by IIIT-Bangalore, Dr. Raghavan broke down the complexities of generative AI, discussing how advancements in this field are set to revolutionize industries, government initiatives, and everyday life in India. His lecture also highlighted Sarvam AI's pivotal work in creating language models tailored to India's diverse linguistic landscape, promising broader digital inclusivity and accessibility for Indian communities. This landmark event brought together technology enthusiasts, students, and professionals, each eager to explore the future of AI through Dr. Raghavan's expert lens.

About the Speaker: Dr. Vivek Raghavan is a visionary entrepreneur and technologist, recognized for his instrumental role in developing Digital Public Goods and Infrastructure in India. An alumnus of IIT Delhi with a Masters and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Vivek’s journey spans from pioneering technology in Electronic Design Automation to leading impactful projects in India. He served as Chief Project Manager and Biometric Architect for UIDAI, scaling India’s Unique Identity Program. Currently, he leads Sarvam AI, a Generative AI startup dedicated to enhancing lives through AI applications in Indian languages. As a mentor to initiatives like AI4Bharat, the Bhashini mission, and OpenNyAI, Dr. Vivek continues to drive AI innovation for India’s diverse linguistic and legal landscapes.

About IIIT-Bangalore

IIIT-Bangalore is a premier institute dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate programs specializing in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), IT for Society, and broader fields of IT and research. Situated in the heart of Electronic City, Bengaluru, it holds a prominent position in the academic landscape. IIIT-Bangalore is graded A+ by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). IIIT-Bangalore secured the 74th position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings for the second consecutive year, 2024 reflecting its commitment to academic excellence. The institute was ranked number 9 among India's Best Technical Universities (Private) by India Today. IIIT-Bangalore contains state-of-the-art infrastructure, eminently qualified faculty, a vibrant alumni community, cutting-edge research facilities, and close industry collaborations.

The institute’s specially designed courses make the students’ cognizant of the current technologies. Experiential learning and practices followed in the institute equip them with the tools and knowledge to solve contemporary real problems. IIIT-Bangalore has consistently achieved excellent placement records every year since its establishment in 1998, thanks to the unwavering support of the industry and the expanding pool of highly skilled alumni.

For more information about IIIT-Bangalore, visit www.iiitb.ac.in