The feature is initially being rolled out to a select group of businesses, including auto shops and nail salons, with plans to expand its reach in the future. Users can access the tool by opting into Google’s Search Labs and performing simple search queries such as “auto shops near me” or “salons near me.” Once activated, the AI takes over and makes the call to collect the requested information on the user’s behalf.

To ensure transparency, businesses receiving these AI-driven calls have the option to opt out, and a clear message is played at the start of the call, informing the business that an AI system is handling the conversation.

While the feature shows great promise for simplifying the process of gathering quick information, users should be aware that, due to capacity limitations, they might experience a waitlist before the AI call can be placed.

The technology behind ‘Ask for Me’ is powered by the same systems that Google uses for restaurant reservations through its Search and Maps platforms. This seamless integration aims to enhance the overall user experience, making it easier to interact with businesses and obtain accurate, timely information without needing to engage in a phone conversation themselves.

As Google continues to test this feature, the company is looking to expand its availability to other industries, potentially revolutionizing how consumers access business details.

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The government’s portal will host open-source models, including AI frameworks like DeepSeek, on Indian servers. Vaishnaw revealed that the logistics for setting up the servers, including the necessary capacity and infrastructure, have already been finalized. He emphasized that the portal would offer GPUs to users at significantly lower prices, making AI resources more accessible.

“We are going to do this very soon. Already, the team has worked out the details regarding the servers required, how much capacity is needed, and all other necessary information. We will be hosting open-source models on Indian servers very soon,” said Vaishnaw.

This development comes at a time when China’s DeepSeek, a startup that has made waves with its open-source reasoning model R1, challenges the traditional view that building frontier AI models requires vast amounts of GPU resources. DeepSeek trained its model using over 2,000 GPUs, while models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT were trained with around 25,000 GPUs, underlining the disparity in GPU needs between different AI models.

To make this powerful technology accessible, the Indian government has committed to subsidizing the use of GPUs. The government will offer a 40 percent subsidy on common compute facilities, reducing the cost for students to under Rs 100 per hour. Currently, India has approximately 10,000 GPUs ready, out of the planned 18,000, with a focus on high-end GPUs to support AI development.

Vaishnaw also highlighted that the AI mission in India would focus on solving large-scale, population-centric challenges. “Our focus will be on utilizing the power of AI to solve problems in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics, weather forecasting, and even areas like glacier measurement and flood prediction,” he added.

The government’s AI initiative, which is part of the broader vision of “Making AI in India” and “Making AI Work for India,” includes a comprehensive, national-level AI mission with a budget allocation of Rs 10,371.92 crore, approved in March 2024. As part of this mission, the Indian government will provide subsidies on AI compute power for the next four years, ensuring sustainability and further cost reductions over time.

This push for greater AI accessibility aligns with India’s long-term goals of empowering students, researchers, and startups to drive innovation and foster cutting-edge AI applications that can tackle the country’s most pressing challenges.

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Maharashtra led the charge, capturing nearly 80% of the total investment pledges. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the state signed 61 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 15.7 lakh crore. These investments have the potential to generate more than 16 lakh jobs, further boosting Maharashtra’s economic landscape. Other states, including Telangana, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh, also made impressive strides at the event, securing significant investment commitments to fuel their development.

Telangana, represented by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, secured 20 MoUs valued at Rs 1.8 lakh crore. Kerala and Uttar Pradesh showcased ambitious growth plans, attracting attention and investments from global entities looking to tap into India’s diverse markets.

In a notable move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu engaged in productive dialogues with CEOs and top executives from global corporations. These discussions focused on highlighting the state’s investment potential, signaling Andhra Pradesh’s readiness to welcome foreign investments across various sectors.

One of the most significant announcements from the summit came from IT giant Infosys, which revealed plans to expand its presence in Hyderabad, creating 17,000 new jobs in the process. This move reflects the growing attractiveness of India as a hub for IT and tech-driven opportunities.

Union Railways and Electronics and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, also took center stage during the summit, outlining India’s strategic approach to balanced economic growth. Vaishnaw highlighted that India is not only focusing on services but is also ramping up manufacturing. He emphasized the shift from an import substitution model to a more forward-looking “Make in India, Make for the World” approach, positioning India as a critical player in the global supply chain.

Vaishnaw’s address underscored India’s rapid rise in the semiconductor and AI sectors. He pointed out that industry leaders now consider India as a potential top-three destination for semiconductor manufacturing. India’s growing dominance in Global Capability Centers (GCCs) focused on advanced designs was also highlighted, showcasing the country’s emerging role in global manufacturing.

In the AI space, Vaishnaw pointed out that India is positioning itself as the “use case capital” of the world. As AI models become more commoditized, the focus is shifting toward developing specific applications and solutions that cater to diverse industries globally. This presents India with a unique opportunity to lead innovation in this transformative field.

Furthermore, the Indian government’s emphasis on skilling and preparing its workforce for emerging technologies, especially AI, ensures that the country remains at the forefront of global technological advancements. By fostering a skilled labor force, India is laying the foundation for sustained growth in the future.

With its commitment to enhancing infrastructure, fostering technological innovation, and expanding its industrial capacity, India is poised to solidify its place as a global economic leader. The investments secured at WEF 2025 are just the beginning of a new chapter in India’s economic transformation, promising unprecedented growth, job creation, and global recognition in the years to come.

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During an event at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) campus in Pashan, Pune, Vaishnaw launched several pioneering products developed by C-DAC. These included the VEGA-based System-on-Chip (SoC) ASIC and two DIR V VEGA processor-based development boards. The newly launched products were the ARIES ECO and ARIES NOVA development boards, along with THEJAS64, India’s first fully indigenous 64-bit SoC.

The ARIES ECO development board is designed with students in mind, offering a hands-on platform for experimenting with various applications such as sensor fusion, smart meters, and wearable devices. The ARIES NOVA, on the other hand, serves as an accessible platform for education, research, and development, particularly in the fast-evolving field of embedded systems. THEJAS64 is a cutting-edge, secure, and robust 64-bit indigenous SoC that is tailored for embedded applications.

These developments come as part of India’s Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) program, in which C-DAC has successfully engineered the VEGA series of microprocessors. This includes the country’s first indigenous 64-bit multi-core RISC-V-based Superscalar Out-of-Order Processor. The VEGA series encompasses 32/64-bit Single/Dual/Quad Core superscalar Out-of-Order high-performance processor cores that are based on the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). This open-source ISA promotes flexibility, fosters innovation, and supports hands-on learning and development in embedded systems.

During his visit, Vaishnaw also explored an exhibition organized by C-DAC and held a review meeting with C-DAC scientists and officers. Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of computing and technological advancements as fundamental elements for India’s development by 2047. He also emphasized C-DAC’s pivotal role in this transformation.

The Minister noted that substantial research is already taking place in the field of semiconductors and computing at esteemed academic institutions like IIT Madras, IISc Bengaluru, and IIT Gandhinagar. He added that the government aims to consolidate and harmonize these efforts to ensure a more unified and strategic approach in the future.

Vaishnaw pointed out that approximately 240 institutions across India now have access to advanced tools used for designing semiconductor chips. C-DAC acts as the fulcrum of this entire initiative, overseeing, enabling, and procuring licenses for these essential research tools. This collaboration has led to a significant shift for students, who previously only learned about semiconductors from textbooks. Now, they have access to advanced tools that allow them to test their ideas and develop new product concepts.

Furthermore, Vaishnaw mentioned that students working with semiconductor design tools are becoming well-equipped for the semiconductor industry. They are not only ready for employment in the field but are also gaining the skills and confidence to launch their own startups or even design their own computer chips.

The Minister also announced that C-DAC would introduce a competition for students trained in semiconductor design tools, connecting them with industry leaders. Additionally, C-DAC will begin offering certification courses to further develop the skill set of these budding professionals.

Through these initiatives, Vaishnaw emphasized the critical role of C-DAC and technological innovation in propelling India toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

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