The January 2025 edition of AIM Print shines a spotlight on transformative AI developments and the visionaries shaping the future. This issue highlights pioneering figures, disruptive startups, and India’s growing dominance in the AI landscape.
Cover Story: Pragya Misra – OpenAI’s Face in India
OpenAI’s ambitious entry into India is being driven by Pragya Misra, the company’s first and only employee in the country. With India emerging as OpenAI’s second-largest user base, Misra’s role encompasses building partnerships with developers, policymakers, and the tech community. Misra believes that if AI solutions work for India, they can scale globally, reflecting India’s unique diversity and innovation potential. She emphasizes OpenAI’s commitment to empowering local startups through tools, credits, and technical support.
AI Without a PhD? Think Again
Meta AI’s chief Yann LeCun advises aspiring AI entrepreneurs in India to pursue advanced academic degrees to navigate the complexities of AI. He suggests that technical expertise, often gained through PhDs, plays a pivotal role in building successful AI startups. This aligns with a growing sentiment that foundational knowledge, rather than surface-level skills, will drive the next wave of AI innovation.
Nikhil Kamath’s Bet on Young Innovators
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s ‘Innovators under 25’ initiative, supported by WTFund, is nurturing India’s youngest and brightest entrepreneurs. This year, nine startups across AI, healthcare, and sustainable technology received non-equity grants of up to INR 20 lakh. Kamath’s unconventional approach focuses on supporting talent without taking ownership, encouraging entrepreneurs to retain full control of their startups.
Key initiatives under WTFund include:
- Mars Computers – Cloud-based high-performance computing for creative professionals.
- BioCompute – DNA-based data storage solutions addressing scalability and sustainability.
- RNT Health Insights – AI-powered diagnostics for gastric cancer, enhancing medical accuracy during endoscopy.
- Pixa AI – Interactive AI-powered educational toys reducing screen time for children.
- CallPrep – AI-driven pre-meeting sales preparation software enhancing productivity.
India’s AI Momentum – Leading the Charge in 2025
India is rapidly positioning itself as a hub for AI agents and generative models. The country’s engineering talent and focus on application-driven AI are propelling India ahead. This edition highlights how Indian startups are developing domain-specific AI models, reflecting the trend of local innovation with global implications.
Turing’s Dream – Paras Chopra’s Vision
Paras Chopra, founder of Wingify and creator of ‘Inverted Passion,’ is pursuing AGI through his initiative, Turing’s Dream. This residency program provides cloud GPUs and a collaborative environment for AI researchers to build cutting-edge projects. Chopra believes that AI systems need more than brute-force data scaling, advocating for the integration of external symbolic agents to improve reasoning
