Sarvam Unveils Indus AI Chat App Amid Rising Competition in India

Sarvam, an AI startup from India focusing on models tailored for local languages and users, launched its Indus chat app for both web and mobile on Friday, entering a competitive space where global giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google dominate.

This launch occurs amidst India’s emergence as a vital area for generative AI growth. Recently, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman remarked that ChatGPT boasts over 100 million weekly active users in the country. Anthropic also noted that India represents 5.8% of total Claude usage, placing it just behind the U.S.

Indus acts as a chat interface for Sarvam’s recently revealed 105B model, which features 105 billion parameters. Its unveiling came shortly after Sarvam introduced both the 105B and 30B models during the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi. During the event, the startup presented its corporate initiatives and hardware plans, alongside partnerships with firms such as HMD to incorporate AI into Nokia feature phones and Bosch for automotive AI uses.

Available in beta on iOS, Android, and the web, the Indus app allows users to input queries either through typing or speaking and receive output in text or audio. For now, access appears to be restricted to users within India, who can sign in using a phone number, Google or Microsoft accounts, or Apple ID.

However, the app does have certain drawbacks; users cannot erase chat history without removing their account entirely, and the reasoning function of the app cannot be disabled, which might lead to slower response times. Sarvam has indicated that as it enhances its computing capacity, access could become more limited at first.

“We’re gradually rolling out Indus on limited compute capacity, so users might encounter waitlists initially. Access will increase with time,” co-founder Pratyush Kumar noted on X, encouraging user feedback.

Established in 2023, Sarvam has secured $41 million from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Peak XV Partners, and Khosla Ventures as it develops large language models specifically designed for the Indian market.

Sarvam joins a select group of Indian startups striving to create homegrown alternatives to international AI platforms, reflecting India’s aspiration for greater autonomy over its AI technology landscape.