AI Voice Bots: The New Frontier for Indian Startups and Businesses
AI Voice Bots Paving the Way for Business Growth
Earlier this month, executives from Alphabet Inc.’s Google DeepMind, Microsoft Corp. and Meta Platforms Inc. joined tech founders in Bangalore to watch one of India’s top AI startups unveil a new product that might change how the world’s most populous country uses the technology. Sarvam AI, often described as India’s OpenAI, introduced software for businesses that can interact with customers using spoken voice rather than just text. The technology was developed with data from 10 native Indian languages and priced at a rupee per minute to capture the market.
The Impact of Voice Technology on Indian Startups
In a video at the event, Vinod Khosla, a billionaire venture capitalist and investor in Sarvam, said, “These voice bots have the potential to reach a billion people.” India has sought to keep pace with the global artificial intelligence frenzy following ChatGPT’s launch. However, limitations have often emerged due to inadequate data on many languages spoken in the country.
- Many people in urban centers can type prompts in English.
- Most of India, however, may lack these language skills.
Now, a growing number of startups are betting that voice bots designed with local language data can penetrate a wider demographic across India and potentially attract users from other regions.
Leading Startups and Innovations in Voice Technology
Samsung-backed Gnani AI conducts millions of voice conversations daily for India's leading banks, insurers, and automotive companies. CoRover AI offers voice bots in 14 Indian languages for the state-owned railway and law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, Haloocom Technologies has introduced voice bots communicating in five Indian languages, handling customer service and recruitment processes.
- CoRover's Ask Disha voice bot can book train tickets and manage payments through voice interactions.
- Gnani AI provides tools for lenders to gauge potential customers' financial needs efficiently.
Sarvam’s voice bots can engage in mixed-language conversations, executing customer requests such as appointment scheduling and payment processing. With approximately 50 clients, Sarvam assists applications like Sri Mandir, which has amassed over 10 million downloads. It aids users in performing various rituals at temples.
Challenges and Optimism in AI Voice Technology
Despite challenges faced by AI companies like OpenAI regarding market access to voice technology, India's startups maintain optimism. AI tailored for specific locales enhances accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and reduces hallucinations—a term for AI-generated inaccuracies—according to Ganesh Gopalan, CEO of Gnani.
While focusing primarily on India, several startups are also eyeing global markets, including the Middle East and Japan. Notably, Gnani has already deployed voice bots in California, facilitating communication with Spanish-speaking customers.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.