How Wadhwani brothers Sunil and Romesh are using AI to serve the underserved

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the 21st century space race where India lags far behind leaders like China and the US. However, there is one area where the country, with second largest number of poor, can lead the world. It can use AI to solve problems for the underserved billions.

That’s exactly what Wadhwani Institute of AI does. Launched last February by prime minister Narendra Modi, backed by NRI entrepreneurs (Rs 200 crore grant) – Wadhwani brothers Sunil and Romesh – WIAI is using AI to serve the bottom of the pyramid.

What does it take to work in cutting edge areas like AI, where India has scarce talent, to serve the underserved? On its first anniversary, P Anandan, CEO of WIAI, reflects back on the challenges and his journey so far in an interview with Malini Goyal. Edited excerpts: