Microsoft, India’s Sarvam AI partner on voice-based genAI

Microsoft has announced a collaborative partnership with Sarvam AI, an Indian startup, to foster the development of voice-based generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

The partnership between Microsoft and Sarvam AI was formally announced during CEO Satya Nadella’s significant three-day visit to India.

Microsoft Chairman and CEO @satyanadella on stage at the #MicrosoftAITour in #Bengaluru where he highlighted the pivotal role of India’s developer community in building cutting-edge products and solutions that solve challenges for the nation and can be deployed around the world. pic.twitter.com/vJqqdOAUd7

— Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) February 8, 2024

This highlights Microsoft’s strategic push to broaden its product range and increase user engagement in India, recognized as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

On Wednesday, Nadella announced an initiative to provide 2 million Indians with AI skilling opportunities by 2025.

Microsoft to equip 2 million people with #AI skills in India by 2025 to help close skills gap across the nation and strengthen India’s ability to thrive in the era of AI. https://t.co/PQqi3WD1nu #CEOConnection #MicrosoftIndia

— Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) February 7, 2024

In an official statement, Microsoft has revealed that Sarvam AI, the Indian startup, is actively developing genAI models specifically tailored for Indic languages and contextual understanding.

@SarvamAI, India’s first provider of LLMs that offer Indic language support, is leveraging #MicrosoftCloud for developers to build real-time voice-based #GenAI apps at scale. #MicrosoftAITour #MSAITour

— Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) February 8, 2024

Also Read: Vodafone, Microsoft sign 10-year strategic partnership on AI

To further support Sarvam AI’s innovative work, Microsoft has announced that the startup will now build its solutions utilizing Microsoft’s robust cloud services, including the Azure OpenAI Service.

The startup, whose founders previously honed their skills developing AI models at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras-based research group AI4Bharat, secured $41 million in a Series A funding round. This investment comes from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Peak XV Partners, and Khosla Ventures.

Unstoppable India. Unstoppable AI. Unstoppable You. @puneetck, President, Microsoft India & South Asia gives a welcome address at the #MicrosoftAITour #Bengaluru #MSAITour pic.twitter.com/qqz2Ic6FPH

— Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) February 8, 2024