Google held its first India-specific I/O Connect developers conference in Bengaluru, where the company unveiled a range of AI-powered tools and initiatives to empower developers across the country.
One of the highlights is the introduction of address descriptors within the Google Maps Platform, an India-first experiment available in over 25 cities. This feature simplifies the process of finding and navigating addresses by using landmarks and area names, making it easier for customers to reach their desired destinations.
Google has been collaborating with the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bengaluru on Project Vani, an initiative to digitize Indian languages using AI. As part of this effort, Google has open-sourced all the data, which includes 38 languages and 4,000 hours of speech data, making it available to developers. This move aims to foster the development of language-focused AI applications that cater to India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
In collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Google Cloud has launched a new initiative to support sellers in building and scaling commerce platforms throughout India. Additionally, Google is open-sourcing a ready implementation of the ONDC infrastructure and core APIs, leveraging retail AI technology and the PaLM API to ensure scalability and security.
To further support startups, Google announced a new startup credit program, enabling companies utilizing ONDC to apply for a grant of $25,000. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to emerging businesses in their early stages.
At the event, Google also highlighted the availability of its AI tools, including the PaLM API, MakerSuite, and Vertex AI, for Indian developers. These tools offer advanced capabilities for natural language processing, development workflows, and machine learning, empowering developers to create innovative solutions.
Additionally, Google showcased upcoming AI-powered tools such as Studio Bot, which aims to streamline coding processes and enable developers to code more efficiently. This tool holds the potential to enhance productivity and support developers in their coding endeavors.
With these new AI tools, open-source initiatives, and startup-focused programs, Google aims to foster a vibrant developer ecosystem in India, enabling developers to leverage AI technology and drive innovation across various industries.
