Indian AI Krutrim Struggles to Find Its Footing

The quest for an Indian answer to ChatGPT-3, the popular large language model (LLM), has hit a few roadblocks in recent months. While ambitious initiatives like Krutrim emerged, their shortcomings and the government’s response raised questions about the future of Indian LLMs.

Krutrim, launched by Ola, initially sparked excitement as India’s homegrown LLM. However, the hype quickly faded as users encountered inaccurate information, hallucinations (made-up information), and even an instance where it claimed OpenAI as its creator. These issues led to suspicions that Krutrim might be a mere wrapper around existing technology like ChatGPT-3.

While Ola addressed the issue as a data leakage problem, the episode showcased Krutrim’s lack of readiness and cast a shadow on India’s LLM capabilities.

However, it’s crucial to maintain perspective. Shortly after Krutrim’s struggles, Google’s Gemini LLM also stumbled. Beyond issues with historical images, Gemini caused significant controversy in India by presenting opinions and views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as facts. These incidents highlight the inherent challenges of LLMs, still in their early stages of development. While companies like Google grapple with these complexities, expecting immediate success from smaller Indian players might be unrealistic.

The Indian government’s response to these stumbles, however, raises concerns. Following the Krutrim and Gemini fiascos, the government implemented stricter guidelines for building AI tools like ChatGPT-3. While LLMs are inherently fallible, overly restrictive regulations could hinder future development.

In a free environment, companies like Ola could attempt ambitious projects like Krutrim, even if they fall short initially. In a more constrained environment, such attempts might not even be possible.

The path to developing a competitive Indian LLM is undoubtedly challenging. Early attempts like Krutrim faced difficulties, but the government’s stricter regulations posed an additional hurdle. Striking a balance between promoting innovation and mitigating potential risks will be crucial in paving the way for a successful Indian LLM in the future.

By fostering a supportive environment while addressing legitimate concerns, India can potentially navigate its way through these initial stumbles and establish itself as a significant player in the LLM landscape.