Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani calls for data localisation, incentives for AI data centres

Reliance Jio, nation's largest telecom company, on Tuesday said Indian users' data must remain within country as Chairman Akash Ambani pitched for "incentives" including that on electricity for Indian companies ready to set up AI and machine learning data centers.

Speaking at IMC and ITUWTSA 2024, Ambani termed AI as a revolutionary tool for transformation of every area including healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing, and emphasised it is "critical" in realising India's vision for a developed nation by 2047.

"AI is absolutely critical for realizing our dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047. refore, India under your leadership should urgently embrace AI with a holistic strategy driven by maximum 'atma nirbhar' efforts," he said at event which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

Jio, he said, is making all out efforts to bring benefits of AI to every Indian, everywhere, just as it did for mobile broadband.

"We are committed to democratising AI, offering powerful AI models and services to everyone in India at affordable prices," Ambani said.

He described Artificial Intelligence as most revolutionary tool of transformation invented by human mind, and said it will disruptively transform every aspect of lives, every facet of society, and every sector of ecomy.

It will "bring in an era of unimaginable abundance and efficiency", he said, citing potential for transformation in sectors such as manufacturing, education and agriculture.

"With AI, India has potential to completely transform manufacturing sector, including SMEs, so that India becomes New- Factory and New- Services Centre for World... Agriculture sector, so that our farmers can become prosperous by growing more with less water," he said on power and potential of artificial intelligence.

AI in health sector will make quality healthcare a reality and in education sector it will ensure that every Indian student can have best learning opportunities.

Jio is laying groundwork for a national AI infrastructure, he added.

Ambani furr observed that scale and speed of multilingual data generation in India, which will drive AI revolution, will grow exponentially.

"We request government to expedite updating of 2020 draft of Data Centre Policy. Indian data should remain in Indian Data Centres," he said.

Accordingly, Indian companies ready to set up AI and machine learning data centers should get all necessary incentives, including incentives for power consumption, he suggested.

"Indian mobile companies, along with thriving ecosystem, are in a position to offer solutions to rest of world, including developed countries," Ambani said.

India needs an accelerated talent generation on a scale that is necessary to make India a global AI leader.

"Some of existing jobs will evolve, and many more exciting opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship are going to be created in a rapid way just like during adoption of computers and internet," Ambani said.

He pledged that India will lead charge in mobile invation, and "we will also fully embrace power of AI to create a connected, intelligent future that is truly transformative for every Indian."

Ambani said world is in awe of India which is w a digital superpower galloping down 5G highway, from a nation crawling at 2G speed only eight years ago.

"I would like to assure Prime Minister that India will have an even better record with 6G.

From a nation that ranked a lowly 155th in mobile broadband adoption, we have risen to become world's largest data market," he said.

He also lauded India's progress in fostering an environment for startups to thrive. nation, he said, has emerged as third largest unicorn hub of world.

UPI has become world's number one digital payment system, he said, adding India is only large country in world that has one of lowest mobile data prices, and yet one of fastest internet speeds.

"India's per capita data consumption of over 30GB is one of highest in world. But that is only half picture. or half tells you that India's story of digital transformation is an example of inclusivity," he said.

India's digital revolution has spread to remotest corners of country, he said, adding over 530 million unbanked Indians have been brought into financial system through Jan Dhan accounts.

Furr, he ted that 300 million of se account holders are women.

"I feel both proud and humbled that Jio has played a significant part in this remarkable transformation," Ambani said.