The United States and India have forged significant collaborations in the field of technology, paving the way for future advancements. With a focus on Quantum, Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Advanced Telecommunications, these collaborations aim to drive economic growth, industrial development, and address security challenges.
To encourage collaborative research in quantum technology including both the public and corporate sectors of both countries, the Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism was developed. India and the US have signed an implementing agreement funded by a $2 million grant from the US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund to encourage joint research in quantum, AI, and advanced wireless technologies. The objective is to jointly develop and market quantum and AI technology. Leading tech companies are actively taking part in these collaborations as well. In Bengaluru, Google’s AI Research Centre is developing models to support more than 100 Indian languages. Collaborations with prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and IIT Madras focus on open-sourcing speech data for AI models and establishing a Center for Responsible AI, respectively.
In the realm of advanced telecommunications, joint efforts have resulted in the establishment of public-private Joint Task Forces. These task forces concentrate on the development and deployment of Open RAN systems, which create standard connections between different parts of wireless networks, making them more affordable. Additionally, the Bharat 6G initiative in India and the U.S. Next G Alliance will collaborate to drive research in this area, aiming to reduce costs, enhance network security, and improve resilience.
Additionally, funding from the United States International Development Finance Corporation, in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), supports the collaborations. This financial assistance will facilitate the beginning of Open RAN deployments in both nations, improving the technology’s scalability and competitiveness in international markets.
The US-India partnerships in quantum, artificial intelligence, and telecom are expected to influence the direction of important technologies while promoting technological leadership for both countries globally.