Should India build its own Large Language Model or use someone else's LLM?

 

India relying on someone else's large language model (LLM), such as models developed by U.S. or Chinese companies, comes with several drawbacks. Here are the key concerns:

1. Data Privacy & Security Risks

• User Data Exposure: Sensitive Indian user data may be processed and stored in foreign servers, leading to potential misuse or unauthorized access.
• Lack of Data Sovereignty: India may lose control over critical AI-generated data, which could be used for surveillance or strategic purposes by foreign entities.

2. Geopolitical & Regulatory Dependence

• Foreign Policy Risks: India’s access to AI models may be restricted or cut off due to geopolitical tensions, sanctions, or policy changes by other countries.
• Compliance with Foreign Laws: Indian companies using foreign LLMs may have to comply with U.S. or EU regulations, creating conflicts with India's own data protection laws (such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023).

3. Economic & Technological Dependency

• High Licensing Costs: Foreign LLMs are often expensive, requiring Indian businesses to pay significant licensing fees, increasing long-term costs.
• Limited Customization: India’s unique linguistic and cultural needs may not be prioritized in foreign-developed models. Developing a domestic LLM ensures better customization for Indian languages and dialects.

4. Bias & Cultural Misrepresentation

• Western-Centric Bias: Most existing LLMs are trained on data dominated by Western perspectives, which may not align with Indian values, traditions, or social structures.
• Lack of Indian Context Understanding: Foreign models may fail to capture regional nuances, leading to misinformation, misinterpretation of historical events, or poor translation quality in Indian languages.

5. National Security Threats

• AI Manipulation & Misinformation: If India depends on external AI, adversaries could manipulate outputs to spread propaganda or misinformation.
• Defense & Strategic Risks: AI is increasingly being used in defense, cybersecurity, and intelligence. Relying on foreign AI could pose risks to India’s strategic interests.

Solution – India’s Need for Indigenous LLMs

To address these drawbacks, India should:
✅ Develop indigenous AI models (e.g., projects like Bhashini for Indian languages).
✅ Invest in AI infrastructure such as computing power and data centers within India.
✅ Encourage public-private partnerships to accelerate AI research and innovation.
✅ Mandate data localization laws to ensure Indian user data remains in India.