Microsoft launches Jugalbandi: an AI-powered platform and chatbot to bridge information gap in India

Microsoft, a pioneer in the artificial intelligence (AI) field, has made significant strides with its latest venture, Jugalbandi. This generative AI-driven platform and chatbot aim to revolutionize access to information about government initiatives and public programs in India. With nearly 22 official languages and considerable linguistic variations in the country, Jugalbandi seeks to address the challenges in disseminating information effectively.

The name “Jugalbandi” pays homage to Indian classical music, referring to a friendly competition between two musicians exchanging compositions. In this context, Jugalbandi signifies the dynamic exchange between the user and the AI system, fostering productive conversations.

Jugalbandi’s mission is clear and ambitious: to provide a free and open platform that combines the power of ChatGPT and Indian language translation models. By doing so, it aspires to break down barriers of literacy and language, enabling citizens to access vital information across various sectors, such as justice, education, and health.

The developers of Jugalbandi have tailored the platform to cater specifically to the Indian population. Notably, they have integrated the chatbot directly with WhatsApp, the most popular mobile communication platform in India. With over 480 million users nationwide, WhatsApp serves as a primary mode of social interaction, news consumption, and even financial transactions.

In addition, Jugalbandi benefits from the expertise of AI4Bharat, a government-backed initiative focused on developing open-source language AI systems for Indian languages. Powered by language and learning models from AI4Bharat, Jugalbandi leverages datasets, models, and applications created by an interdisciplinary team of researchers, language experts, and software developers. The initiative is primarily based at the renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Madras.

Overall, this initiative has the potential to greatly benefit India by positively impacting the lives of its over 1.4 billion citizens, many of whom live in rural areas. Fortunately, India has invested heavily in developing the necessary technology and infrastructure to bring high-speed internet access to these areas, making it possible for Jugalbandi to serve and assist these communities.

Additionally, the platform has endless potential applications beyond its current use for government programs, such as connecting Indians in various sectors, including law, healthcare, banking, public health, and other important social initiatives.

Via: Forbes