India’s AI supercomputer AIRAWAT: A leap in AI-driven innovation and global supercomputing : US Pioneer Global VC DIFCHQ SFO India Singapore – Riyadh Swiss Our Mind

AIRAWAT is an AI Research, Analytics, and Knowledge Dissemination Platform installed at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune. The AIRAWAT platform supports research, knowledge dissemination, and the National Knowledge Network, providing critical AI infrastructure for innovation across academia, industry, and research.

AIRAWAT is an AI Research, Analytics, and Knowledge Dissemination Platform. This achievement, part of India’s National Program on AI (NPAI), places India among the leaders in AI supercomputing and positions the country as a key player in AI-driven solutions. Featuring a powerful processing capability of 13,170 teraflops (Rpeak), AIRAWAT has joined the prestigious Top 500 Global Supercomputing List, showcasing India’s growing strength in AI-driven innovation and computing.

“AI for All”

At the heart of AIRAWAT lies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “AI for All,” emphasizing the dual objectives of fostering indigenous AI and leveraging AI technologies for the socio-economic upliftment of India. AIRAWAT’s powerful compute capabilities are designed not just for performance but to contribute directly to India’s strategic goals, aligning with initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).

AI Innovation

AIRAWAT’s Proof of Concept (PoC), funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and implemented by C-DAC, is a high-performance AI machine with an initial mixed-precision peak of 200 petaflops, scalable to 790 petaflops. Combined with the PARAM Siddhi AI system’s 210 petaflops, AIRAWAT offers a total compute power of 410 petaflops, meeting the needs of various AI stakeholders in India.

With plans for scalability, AIRAWAT aims to reach 1,000 petaflops, solidifying its potential to handle intensive AI computations in fields like natural language processing (NLP), image processing, and video analytics. This infrastructure empowers researchers, start-ups, and established industries to harness the power of AI for complex, real-life applications across a range of sectors.

Empowering Academia, Industry, and Research

Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Scientist-G at MeitY, highlights that AIRAWAT will foster research, development, and collaboration across academia, industry, and government. The platform provides a shared computational foundation that connects India’s Technology Innovation Hubs, research labs, and academic institutions with the National Knowledge Network. This interconnectivity will accelerate advancements in AI-enabled products and solutions tailored to India’s unique challenges, from agriculture and education to healthcare and security.

Ms. Sunita Verma, Scientist-G at MeitY, emphasized C-DAC’s longstanding role in AI and supercomputing, noting that AIRAWAT will also support the Digital India BHASHINI program, which focuses on local language processing, digital inclusion, and bridging language barriers across India’s diverse regions.

National Impact and Future Directions

AIRAWAT, in alignment with national initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, is a strategic enabler for India to lead in AI research, bridging resource gaps for start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in AI-driven fields. Applications of AIRAWAT are set to cover a wide array of sectors, including surveillance, finance, and supply chain management, reinforcing AI’s role in national security and public welfare.

Additionally, the AI supercomputer will support high-impact areas such as:

  • Healthcare: Precision diagnostics and patient care
  • Agriculture: Yield prediction, pest control, and supply chain optimization
  • Education: Personalized learning and skill development
  • National Security: Advanced analytics for surveillance and threat detection

Shri E. Magesh, Director General at C-DAC, noted that AIRAWAT serves as a scalable AI cloud platform for Research Excellence in AI, connecting numerous institutions with real-time analytics capabilities. This level of connectivity and power helps India meet global standards, attracting international collaborations and positioning India as a hub for AI innovation.

AIRAWAT and the Path Forward

With its 13,170 teraflops (Rpeak) capacity and a foundational role in AI research, AIRAWAT is set to drive AI-centric advancements and act as a catalyst for India’s development. As the country expands its digital infrastructure, AIRAWAT exemplifies India’s commitment to harnessing AI for both national prosperity and global competitiveness. This infrastructure not only supports India’s unique challenges but also serves as a model for AI research and collaboration, showcasing the nation’s capability to lead in AI and computing.

Through AIRAWAT, India is making strides toward becoming a self-reliant technology powerhouse, firmly establishing its role on the global AI supercomputing stage.

https://indiaai.gov.in/article/india-s-ai-supercomputer-airawat-a-leap-in-ai-driven-innovation-and-global-supercomputing