Hanooman AI

• Blockchain Council
• September 02, 2024

Hanooman AI, an ambitious initiative from India, is an indigenous GenAI platform designed to cater to a wide linguistic spectrum. But what is this project that got attention even from the richest man of Asia? 

Let’s find out!

What is Hanooman AI?

Hanooman AI, also known as Hanooman, is a new artificial intelligence platform developed in India and launched in May 2024 by 3AI Holding Limited. It is developed by IIT Bombay and Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare (SML). It functions like a chatbot, similar to ChatGPT, designed to support multiple languages and tailored specifically to cater to the Indian population. This AI can understand and respond in 98 different languages, including 12 major Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and Marathi, with plans to expand this further.

The model is named after Hindu deity Hanuman and backed by Reliance Industries. Hanooman AI is built to be accessible and useful across various sectors, including healthcare, education, governance, and financial services. For instance, it can provide healthcare advice in local languages or assist in education by adapting content to different learning styles. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, making AI technology more accessible to a broader audience in India, thus bridging the digital divide.

How Does Hanooman AI Work?

Hanooman operates using a technology called a Large Language Model (LLM), which is a type of AI designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the data it has been trained on. Hanooman AI is developed to be multilingual and multimodal, meaning it can understand and produce not just text but also speech and video content. This makes it versatile for various applications across different media formats.

The AI is tailored for use in several sectors like healthcare, education, governance, and finance, responding to needs specific to these areas. For instance, it can act as a chatbot that provides medical advice or as an educational tool that delivers customized learning content. Its speech-to-text feature enhances accessibility, allowing users to interact with the AI in their spoken language, which is particularly beneficial in a multilingual country like India where many users may not be proficient in English.

The AI is also open-source for parts of its framework, allowing developers and researchers to modify and use it for various applications, thus encouraging innovation and development within the Indian tech ecosystem.

Features of Hanooman

• Multilingual Capabilities: Hanooman AI can understand and respond in multiple Indian languages. Currently, it supports 11 major Indian languages and there are plans to expand this to include all 22 scheduled Indian languages. This feature helps bridge the communication gap for India’s linguistically diverse population​​​.
• Multimodal Functions: Unlike many traditional AI models that handle just text, Hanooman AI can also process and generate speech and videos. This versatility makes it applicable in various media forms, enhancing its usability in different sectors like education, healthcare, and entertainment​​​. Also, it can handle a wide range of interactions from simple text chats to more complex tasks involving voice and video content. 
• Customization for Specific Needs: The AI can be tailored to meet the specific demands of different sectors such as healthcare, education, and finance, providing more targeted and effective solutions​.
• Accessibility Features: Hanooman AI includes speech-to-text capabilities, making it more accessible to users who may face literacy challenges. This feature is particularly valuable in enhancing user interaction across various applications​.
• Scalable Technology: The platform offers models with a wide range of complexities, from 1.5 billion to 40 billion parameters, allowing it to serve both small-scale needs and large, intricate systems​.
• Open-Source Availability: There is an open-source version of Hanooman AI that allows developers and researchers to modify and use the technology according to their needs, fostering innovation and customization​​.
• Data Localization and Security: The platform ensures that all data remains within India, adhering to local data protection regulations and enhancing security and privacy.

How to Use Hanooman AI?

Step 1: Download the App or Access it Through Website

You can download the Hanooman AI app from the Google Play Store if you’re using an Android device. The app for iOS users will be available soon. You can also use Hanooman AI on its website. It offers a fully functional multilingual web platform that is accessible through its official website. This web-based interface allows users to engage with the AI using its various language and functionality options, just as they would via the mobile app.

Step 2: Explore Its Capabilities

Once installed, explore the app to discover its various features. Hanooman AI is capable of understanding and interacting in multiple Indian languages, making it particularly useful for non-English speakers in India. It also includes speech-to-text features, allowing users to speak directly to the AI in their native language, enhancing accessibility for users with different levels of literacy​​.

Step 3: Custom Usage

For more specialized needs, Hanooman AI can be adapted for specific sectors such as healthcare, education, and finance. This makes it a flexible tool for businesses and organizations that need AI solutions tailored to their particular requirements​.

Step 4: Regular Updates

Keep the app updated to benefit from new features and improvements as the platform evolves. Hanooman AI is continuously being developed to include more languages and capabilities, aiming to reach a broader user base and enhance its functionalities​​.

Step 5: Seek Support If Needed

If you encounter any issues or have questions, Hanooman AI’s support team can be reached through their website or the contact options within the app. They provide assistance and information to ensure users can make the most out of their AI experience​​.

Benefits of Hanooman AI

• Multilingual Support: Hanooman supports a wide range of languages, including 98 global languages and 12 Indian languages. This allows it to serve a vast, diverse user base, making technology accessible to non-English speakers in India and around the world.
• Accessibility Features: It includes speech-to-text capabilities, making it easier for people who are unable to read or write to use the technology. This feature is particularly valuable in India, where literacy rates vary significantly across regions.
• Customization for Local Needs: Hanooman AI can be customized for specific sectors such as healthcare, finance, and education. This means it can be tailored to meet the particular needs of different industries, enhancing its effectiveness and utility​.
• Broad Application Scope: Beyond language translation, Hanooman AI offers a range of applications from providing educational support, assisting in healthcare, managing customer services in finance, to supporting administrative tasks in governance​.

Challenges of Hanooman AI

• Language and Cultural Nuances: Despite its extensive language support, understanding and integrating the nuances of regional languages and dialects remains a challenge. This is crucial for ensuring that AI interactions are as natural and effective as possible.
• Ethical and Privacy Concerns: As with any AI technology, there are significant concerns regarding data privacy, security, and the ethical use of AI. Ensuring that Hanooman AI adheres to these concerns while scaling up is a critical challenge​.
• Technical Complexity and Resource Needs: The development of such a sophisticated system requires immense computational resources and technical expertise. Balancing these resource needs with the goal of making the AI accessible and affordable is another ongoing challenge.

Conclusion

The aim of Hanooman AI is to reach 200 million users in its first year, emphasizing its inclusive approach by catering to the vast non-English speaking population in India. It stands as a significant competitor to existing AI models, particularly by focusing on the unique linguistic and cultural tapestry of India. Beyond mere translation capabilities, Hanooman AI can perform complex tasks such as coding and providing professional advice, making it a versatile tool in both professional and casual settings​.

FAQs

What is Hanooman AI?

• It is an artificial intelligence platform developed in India.
• Launched in May 2024 by IIT Bombay and Seetha Mahalaxmi Healthcare.
• Supports 98 languages, including 12 major Indian languages.
• Backed by Reliance Industries, targeting healthcare, education, and finance sectors.

How can I use Hanooman AI?

• Download the app from the Google Play Store (iOS app coming soon).
• Access it through the official website.
• Explore its features, including multilingual support and speech-to-text.
• Regularly update the app for new features and improvements.
• Contact support if you encounter any issues.

What features does Hanooman AI offer?

• Multilingual capabilities, supporting 98 languages.
• Multimodal functions, processing text, speech, and video content.
• Speech-to-text for enhanced accessibility.
• Customization for specific sectors like healthcare and education.
• Open-source framework to encourage innovation.

What are the challenges faced by Hanooman AI?

• Addressing language and cultural nuances in regional dialects.
• Ensuring data privacy and security.
• Managing the technical complexity and resource needs of a sophisticated AI system.
• Balancing accessibility and affordability while scaling up.