IBM and Sarvam AI Partner for India’s Sovereign AI Infrastructure

The collaboration will combine IBM's enterprise technology with Sarvam AI's Indic language models to create AI systems that run on local infrastructure, ensuring data stays within India's borders. The partnership targets government agencies, banks, healthcare providers, and other regulated sectors that require strict data residency and security compliance.

Under the agreement, IBM will provide its watsonx platform and consulting services, while Sarvam AI contributes its open-source models trained on 22 Indian languages. The joint solutions will be deployed through IBM's cloud and on-premises offerings, allowing organizations to choose where their data is processed and stored.

Sarvam AI, backed by Peak XV Partners and Lightspeed, has focused on building generative AI tools for Indian languages since its founding in 2023. The startup's models are designed to handle Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and other regional languages, addressing a gap in existing AI systems that primarily support English.

The partnership comes as India pushes for digital sovereignty, with the government encouraging local AI development to reduce dependence on foreign technology. IBM has been expanding its presence in India's AI market, opening new offices and research facilities to support the country's growing technology sector.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The companies said initial deployments are expected to begin in the coming months, starting with pilot projects in the public sector.