Bhashini CEO Amitabh Nag assigned additional charge as director at IndiaAI

Amitabh Nag, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital India Bhashini Division under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, has been given an additional role as Director of the India Dataset Platform (AIKosh) and the Application Development Initiative at IndiaAI.

He shared the news on LinkedIn, expressing his excitement about contributing to these new responsibilities alongside his ongoing work at Bhashini.

IndiaAI's role in advancing AI

IndiaAI is the National Portal on Artificial Intelligence and a key program under the ministry’s broader IndiaAI Mission. Its goals include driving AI innovation, expanding access to computing resources, improving data quality, fostering partnerships across industries, and ensuring that AI tools and applications are developed responsibly.

Earlier this month, Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw launched a series of initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission, underlining the government’s commitment to building India’s leadership in artificial intelligence.

AIKosh and the IndiaAI application development initiative

Among the newly unveiled projects is AIKosh, the IndiaAI Datasets Platform, which operates as a secure repository of datasets, AI models, and development tools.

It features advanced capabilities such as AI sandbox functionality, dataset readiness assessment, encryption-based data protection, and real-time filtering.

The second main pillar, the IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, focuses on deploying AI-driven solutions in key sectors including healthcare, governance, climate change, agriculture, and support for those with learning disabilities.

Progress in India’s AI ecosystem

The recent IndiaAI Innovation Challenge reflects the government’s momentum in promoting AI solutions, drawing over 900 submissions across various stages of development.

The challenge ultimately shortlisted 30 finalists who are pursuing ideas, prototypes, and already functioning solutions. By encouraging research and practical innovation, the mission aims to propel India into a leadership role in the AI space.

With Amitabh Nag now directing both AIKosh and the Application Development Initiative, the government hopes to boost the availability of quality datasets while driving faster adoption of AI across multiple industries. His background in digital transformation at Bhashini—a program dedicated to language technologies—positions him to guide these initiatives toward meaningful impact, both in terms of technological advancement and real-world applicability.