AI Kosha: Democratising AI Innovation through Open Source Datasets
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) recently launched the IndiaAI datasets platform, AI Kosha. Consisting of 316 datasets, the AI Kosha is expected to enable “the creation and validation of language translation tools for Indian languages, thereby promoting linguistic inclusivity and digital transformation”. The platform is
expected to boost the startup ecosystem and help AI work for India. It can truly help serve the needs of diverse groups and truly ensure “AI for All” in both spirit and substance. Anupama Vijayakumar writes.
The facility was visited by a delegation of representatives from over twenty Irish organisations, led by Minister for Research, James Lawless. The discussions agreed to take the next steps towards granting Ireland an associate membership.
The agreement signed between China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) formalises cooperation for training Pakistani astronauts for future flight missions to China's Tiangong space station.
The agreement seeks “to improve mitigation measures against harmful interference in satellite systems”. This is part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation on key issues relating to global digital communications.
According to a statement from WHO, marks “the continuation of a strong partnership between the Digital Ethics Centre and WHO, with the two entities jointly organizing international consultations, workshops, and the development of normative guidance and training in the past”.
The research is seen as a major step forward in transforming quantum networking that could revolutionize the future of the internet with the goal to bring quantum network technology to all.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the annual meetings of China’s legislature, Premier Li Keqiang noted that the government would take measures to support the private sector to boost innovation and stabilize the environment.
The funds would be utilised to support the company’s chip manufacturing plant in Arizona. It would additionally support the construction of three new chip plants, two chip packaging plants and an R&D Centre.
Held during February, 28 - March, 1, 2025, the NXT forum “ was attended by Global leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers. Sessions focused on areas including critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Space, Health, Medicine, Water, Green Energy, Governance, Law, and Defence.
The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, New Delhi (CSIR-NIScPR), and the CNRS-Department for Open Research Data, Open Science, Publications, Research Data and High Performance Computing, Paris (CNRS-DDOR) discussed efforts made by India and France towards open access, open data and open science; and how digital technologies and Open Source platform role in implementing an information-driven approach to advance science, promote collaborations, increase transparency and utilize tools for partnerships between science and society.
A side event at the meeting discussed “women’s roles and opportunities related to the extraction, production, and beneficiation of critical minerals for the energy transition and related sectors, including strategies to ensure their equal participation at every step”.
AI Kosha, a non-personal data platform aims to streamline access to non-personal datasets to entrepreneurs and startups, necessary for developing AI technologies such as foundational models. IndiaAI Compute Portal, the platform from where startups and researchers can access the graphics processing units (GPUs) is also set to launch soon.
Scientifically, this test is known as the Power Head Test Article (PHTA). This is done to validate the integrated performance of some of the engine’s critical subsystems through performing a hot-firing for an extremely brief duration of not more than 4.5 seconds.
The process of granting no-objection certificates to the export of certain drugs. Under the new system, the DCGI will grant a blanket NOC based on a company’s history of exporting the drug over the past one year as long as the drug is approved in the importing country.
“The datasets comprise valuable scientific information about the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere and its outer atmosphere (corona) along with the in-situ particles and magnetic field measurements at first Earth-Sun Lagrange Point L1,” ISRO said.
India-Mauritius agreed to transform its bilateral ties into an enhanced Strategic Partnership.The areas of cooperation include development partnership, human resource development and capacity building, space, climate change, health, education, digital, defence, maritime together with economic and trade cooperation.
The problem: Platinum (Pt) as a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst is highly effective, however its scarcity and high cost signifi- ly increases manufacturing expenses, and limits its large-scale application.
Palladium-based Nanosheet Catalyst: Researchers at the Tokyo Uni versity of Science (TUS) developed PdDI nanosheets (C-PdDI and E- PdDI) using two different methods i.e. gas-liquid interfacial synthesis and electrochemical oxidation respectively. E-PdDI emerged as one
the most efficient HER catalysts developed to date, making it a promising low-cost alternative to platinum. They also demonstrated excellent durability, remaining intact after 12 hours in acidic conditions, confirming their suitability for real-world hydrogen production systems.
Future Prospects: The scalability, enhanced activity, and cost-effectiveness of PdDI nanosheets make them
beneficial for industrial hydrogen production, hydrogen fuel cells, and large-scale energy storage systems. PdDI could reduce mining-related emissions, accelerating the transition to a sustainable hydrogen economy. PdDI nanosheets are expected to produce great outcomes in automobiles, hydrogen production, and electrode supplying industries.
The Problem: Commonly used in food packaging and beverage bottles, PET plastics represent 12 per cent of total plastics used globally. It is a major contributor to plastic pollution. After use, it either ends up in landfills or, over time, degrades into tiny microplastics or nanoplastics, which often end up in wastewater and waterways. Current methods to break down plastics require harsh conditions, including extremely high temperatures, intense energy and solvents, which generate toxic byproducts. The catalysts used in these reactions are also often expensive or toxic, creating even more harmful waste. Then, after the reaction is performed, researchers
have to separate the recycled materials from the solvents, which can be a time-consuming and energy-intensive
process.
Molybdenum Catalyst and Activated Carbon with Air: The researchers used a molybdenum catalyst and acti- vated carbon, which are inexpensive, abundant and non-toxic materials. Researchers added PET to the catalyst and activated carbon and then heated up the mixture, breaking apart the chemical bonds within the plastic. The material was then exposed to air. With the tiny bit of moisture from air, the material turned into terephthalic acid (TPA)—the highly valuable precursor to polyesters. The only byproduct was acetaldehyde, a valuable, easy-to- remove industrial chemical.
Future Prospects: The technology has the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution, lower the environmental footprint of plastics and contribute to a circular economy where materials are reused rather than discarded.
The framework is expected to play a critical role in leveraging AI to drive developmental and economic goals.
It can be employed to enhance AI literacy, identify skill deficiencies, and foster AI adoption in government ser- vices.
The framework defines “behavioural, functional, and domain-specific competencies required for public sector officials.
It defines structured learning pathways and competency benchmarks and thereby works to equip public sector officials’ ability to harness the transformative potential of AI. The framework further emphasises upon ethical AI governance in public administration.
It allows for developing targeted training and capacity building programmes and helps “identify opportunities to integrate AI for improved efficiency and service delivery”.
NITI Aayog has recently launched the Frontier Tech Hub (NITI-FTH). This initiative is aimed at transforming India into a technology-driven economy.
This hub will act as a frontier tech action tank, fostering advanced technological innovations to accelerate India's economic and social development.
The initiative also seeks to promote emerging technologies that contribute to both human progress and en- vironmental sustainability.
As part of its charter, the Hub will engage with experts across Industry, Academia and Government to create a deeper understanding of the tech trends early and their implications on India. It will also come out with action plans and recommendations to drive India’s readiness.
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