Google has started backing up artificial intelligence or "AI" start-ups in India as part of the search giant's plan to move into an "artificial intelligence first" world.
Google has initiated a six-month "Launchpad Accelerator" program in India which hopes to nurture the growth of AI in the country. The search giant has backed up companies developing the following: an AI that analyzes medical data to reduce human errors, one that provides cooking apps for different culinary needs, and an AI-powered traveling app, to name a few.
"The pace at which you can solve problems is so much faster when you apply [AI]," said Paul Ravindranath G, the program manager in Google India. "We have begun including companies that are meaningfully solving problems... using AI and machine learning."
Google has been financially backing up small companies in India, and also providing them proper mentorship from top technology companies in Silicon Valley. Since 2016, Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc. have reported revenue of a whopping $90.27 billion in 2016. This means that these small Indian tech companies will be receiving tons of support from Google which will help them innovate in the coming years.
In other news, Google is planning on selling the Pixel 2 in India. The said device is currently available only in the U.S. The Economic Times reports that Google is currently planning on opening "experience centers" in the country where people can try Google's flagship phone, the Pixel 2. The company might also release the said device in the country sometime in 2018.
Google might also set up shop in the country to sell their other devices, such as the Google Home smart speakers, Chromecast streaming devices, View virtual reality (VR) headsets, and their Pixel laptops.
India is currently the world's second-largest smartphone market. Opening shops in the country will be a good move for the company especially if they want to bolster their Pixel 2 sales.
