At the Business Today-India Today AI Conclave, Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Head of Meta India, shared insights into the company’s strides in artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on India. With Meta’s AI reaching approximately 500 million users globally, Devanathan emphasized India’s pivotal role in shaping the future of AI technology. “India is our biggest market in the world when it comes to Llama downloads,” she said, underscoring India’s critical position in both adopting and influencing the evolution of AI technologies.
Devanathan highlighted that Meta’s mission revolves around making AI more inclusive, accessible, and empowering. “Meta AI is all about enabling and democratizing access to AI,” she affirmed. This mission stems from Meta’s belief that artificial intelligence can unlock new opportunities for people and businesses. By lowering barriers to entry, Meta seeks to ensure that AI doesn’t remain the privilege of a select few but becomes a tool that can be leveraged by everyone, especially in emerging markets like India.
Meta’s open-source approach has played a critical role in empowering developers to build on the company’s AI technologies. One of the most notable examples is the Sarvam GenAI model, a tool designed to foster innovation tailored to the specific needs of local markets. With this open-source model, developers across India and the globe have the ability to create solutions that are both scalable and sensitive to regional requirements. India, with its vast and diverse population, presents a unique environment for the adoption of AI. The country is not only an early adopter but also a key player in driving innovation. Devanathan elaborated on how Meta’s efforts in India align with its global strategy. The open-source approach ensures that the AI models are more adaptable and can cater to the varied needs of Indian users, from small businesses to content creators. As India continues to grow as a technological hub, Meta is poised to play an even more significant role in the country’s digital transformation.
With privacy concerns surrounding AI and smart technologies, Devanathan was quick to address these issues, particularly in relation to Meta’s smart glasses, which integrate AI-powered features. The Ray-Ban smart glasses, a collaboration between Meta and Ray-Ban, allow users to capture images and videos. However, Meta has built safeguards into the product to ensure privacy protection. Devanathan pointed out, “There is a reason you cannot take pictures or videos without the light going on,” explaining that the visual indicator serves as a signal to others that the camera is in use. Meta’s commitment to user privacy extends beyond hardware products. The company has dedicated privacy teams that work diligently to integrate privacy safeguards into all its AI products. These teams ensure that users can trust the platform and its AI models, even as they continue to evolve. Devanathan also acknowledged that generative AI models are works in progress, emphasizing that perfection is not the immediate goal. “All generative AI models are works in progress. None of them are going to be picture-perfect,” she noted, highlighting the iterative nature of AI development.
Meta employs rigorous methods to address potential vulnerabilities in its AI models and products. One such technique is “Red Teaming,” which involves internal and external experts working together to identify potential weaknesses in AI systems before they are deployed. This proactive approach helps Meta ensure that its products are secure and resilient, thus preventing any misuse or unintended consequences. Moreover, Devanathan emphasized that open-sourcing Meta’s AI technology strengthens its reliability, as the global developer community contributes to improving and refining these tools.
Devanathan also spoke about the broader implications of AI on productivity, particularly for small businesses. AI’s potential to streamline operations and improve customer service is immense, and Devanathan sees AI agents playing a central role in this transformation. “Every company or business having an AI agent that learns from you would mean better productivity and gains for small businesses,” she explained. The integration of AI into customer service operations allows small businesses to deliver a more personalized experience. AI agents can learn from customer interactions and tailor responses to meet individual preferences. This level of personalization not only enhances customer satisfaction but also boosts operational efficiency. For small businesses with limited resources, AI agents can handle customer inquiries, provide product recommendations, and manage other customer-facing tasks, freeing up human resources to focus on more strategic activities. The future, according to Devanathan, is one where AI tools empower entrepreneurs, enabling them to operate more efficiently and grow their businesses without the need for extensive technological expertise. This democratization of AI benefits businesses of all sizes but has particular importance for small enterprises looking to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In discussing the cultural impact of AI, Devanathan touched upon the growing influence of AI in shaping social media platforms, particularly Instagram. She dismissed the notion that Instagram Reels, a feature that has taken India by storm, is nearing saturation in the country. “Absolutely not,” she remarked, explaining that Indian trends are not only thriving on the platform but are also being adopted globally. AI has played a significant role in amplifying these trends, as more than 50% of Instagram content is now AI-recommended. AI algorithms help identify popular trends and recommend content to users based on their preferences and interactions. This has opened up new opportunities for creators to connect with their audiences. By understanding user behavior and preferences, Instagram’s AI-driven recommendation engine ensures that users see content that resonates with them. For content creators, this means increased visibility and engagement, allowing them to grow their following organically. Devanathan emphasized the pivotal role of AI in content discovery. As AI continues to evolve, it will enable creators to tailor their content more effectively, ultimately making social media a more interactive and personalized experience. This is not only beneficial for creators but also enhances user engagement, making the digital experience more rewarding for everyone involved.
Devanathan concluded her address with a balanced perspective on the growth of AI. While the potential of AI is immense, she stressed the importance of implementing guardrails to ensure its responsible and ethical use. As AI technologies continue to evolve, it is crucial to address concerns around transparency, fairness, and accountability. Meta is committed to advancing AI in a way that benefits users and society at large. However, this requires careful consideration of the ethical implications of AI technologies. Devanathan’s acknowledgment of AI’s potential, paired with a call for safety and ethical guidelines, reflects the company’s proactive approach to navigating the challenges of AI’s rapid growth.
Since taking over as Vice President and Head of Meta India in January 2023, Sandhya Devanathan has been instrumental in guiding Meta through a period of restructuring. Her leadership comes at a time when Meta has had to make difficult decisions, including laying off over 11,000 employees. Despite these challenges, Devanathan’s appointment signifies a renewed focus on growth and innovation, particularly in the AI sector. Her leadership has been marked by a commitment to ensuring that Meta remains at the forefront of AI development while also fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation. As Meta continues to expand its AI capabilities, India will remain a key market for the company, contributing to both the adoption of AI technologies and the development of solutions that cater to local needs.
In conclusion, Devanathan’s address at the AI Conclave highlighted Meta’s dedication to democratizing AI and ensuring its responsible use. India’s role in the company’s global AI strategy is undeniable, and as Meta continues to innovate and evolve, the impact of AI on businesses, content creators, and users will only become more pronounced. The future of AI is bright, and with leaders like Sandhya Devanathan at the helm, Meta is poised to shape this future in a way that is inclusive, secure, and beneficial for all.
