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overview
Overview

Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming sci-fi fantasies into real-world applications, driving economic prosperity, inclusivity, and sustainability, while improving lives and livelihoods. The open-source tools democratize advanced technologies offering possibilities for customization and robust community support, enabling developers to build cutting-edge solutions with minimal resources for localised and context specific use-cases, thus augmenting AI adoption.

The objective of nasscom Open-Source Grand Challenge is to provide an opportunity to startup and developer communities to build GenAI solutions using open-source technologies and showcase the potential socio-economic impact for society and businesses.

The participating team must use Open-source LLM such as LLAMA, Mistral, Falcon, etc. or equivalent community versions for building the models.

Themes

The applicants should submit their applications under the following themes and relevant use cases. Participants are at liberty to choose and clearly define any use-case which will be of interest to society and businesses.

  • Legal

    Generative AI is reshaping the legal industry by introducing powerful tools that enhance efficiency and precision, automating tasks like document drafting and analysis, streamlining legal research, and predicting case outcomes, freeing up lawyers to focus on complex legal challenges. This technology also aids in crafting more tailored legal strategies, improving decision-making and client service. As the legal field embraces GenAI, it is transforming traditional practices, boosting productivity, and raising the standard of legal services.

    Legal
  • Media

    Generative AI is transforming the media and entertainment industry by introducing personalized and immersive experiences. This technology refines content creation, enhances recommendation algorithms, and improves audience targeting, leading to higher user engagement and satisfaction. As the industry adopts Generative AI, it aims to deliver tailored content that fosters audience loyalty and revolutionizes the media landscape.

    Media
  • Education

    GenAI can transform education by providing personalized learning experiences, automated grading and customized feedback, and increase productivity. AI-powered adaptive learning systems can improve student outcomes and enhance teacher effectiveness. Intelligent tutoring systems can make high-quality education accessible to all. By leveraging GenAI, organizations can increase student-teacher engagement, identify learning gaps, and improve learning through interactive modules.

    education
  • e-Governance

    GenAI is important for e-governance use-cases because it enables governments to provide citizen-centric services, enhance transparency, and improve decision-making. GenAI's advanced capabilities, such as predictive analytics and natural language processing, can automate public services, detect fraud, and optimize resource allocation. By leveraging GenAI, governments can increase citizen engagement, reduce costs, and build more efficient and responsive systems.

    miils
  • Enterprise

    GenAI is important for enterprise level use-cases as it enables organizations to automate complex processes, gain data-driven insights, and drive innovation. GenAI's advanced capabilities, such as predictive analytics and natural language processing, can transform industries and improve operational efficiency. By leveraging GenAI, enterprises can stay competitive, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue streams. The use cases submitted under this theme can be sector-agnostic.

    milston
Program Structure
  • Phase-1: Applications/approach notes are invited from startups and MSMEs based on eligibility criteria (refer website). First round of shortlisting will be done by an internal nasscom panel based on the quality of the submitted approach notes.
  • Phase-2: Shortlisted applicants from Phase-1 will be forwarded for a second round of shortlisting by an external evaluation panel to choose the top two themes based on the potential societal impact, team strength, technical capabilities, tech stack/scalability, and so on. Top scoring applicants from two themes will develop and submit a PoC/existing solution.
  • Phase-3: The chosen 10-15 applicants (merit-based selection) will develop the PoC within the stipulated time. They will be invited to present their solution to the jury (virtually). The jury will choose the winner and runner-up in this round and reward them with the prize money. In addition to the reward money, the top two meritorious solutions will be facilitated to production level in collaboration with nasscom and its partners.
Program-structure
benefits
Benefits
  • The winner and runner-up of the grand challenge will receive a reward of INR 5 lakhs and INR 3 lakhs respectively.
  • Mentorship from industry experts to help participants refine their projects during the grand challenge.
  • 200 GPU hours each to all applicants who are shortlisted for developing PoC (development phase).
  • Additional 800 GPU hours each to the winner and runner-up of the grand challenge.
Eligibility Criteria 
  • This grand challenge is open to innovators and problem solvers from the developer community interested in developing cutting edgeGenAI solutions using open-source technology
  • The participating team must use Open-source LLM such as LLAMA, Mistral, Falcon, etc. or equivalent community versions for building the models
  • Applications are invited from developers belonging to startups or Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs):
    • Developers can apply on individual basis or on behalf of their organization
    • Developers can apply by forming teams of one to four members from the same/different organizations
    • Developers must ensure that their submissions are not having any conflict with their organization’s interests, and they indemnify nasscom and all its partners from any claims
    • The teams might have to submit NoC from their management or an undertaking as defined by the organizing committee
  • Individual developers or teams can apply under multiple themes or multiple use-cases under the same theme
  • The startups and MSMEs should be registered in India
  • All participants should be Indian citizensaged 18 years and above
eligibility
Key Milestones
  • Launch of Grand Challenge
    Jul 24

    Launch of Grand Challenge 

  • Application Submission Deadline
    Oct 14

    Application Submission Deadline

  • Final Shortlist Announcement
    Nov 04

    Final Shortlist Announcement

  • Winner Announcement
    Dec 10

    Showcase and winner announcement  

Jury Members
  • ankit linkdin
    Ankit Bose

    Head,
    nasscom AI

  • Geetha Adinarayan linkdin
    Geetha Adinarayan

    CTO, Digital Product Engineering, APAC,
    IBM

  • Kalika Bali linkdin
    Kalika Bali

    Senior Principal Researcher
    Microsoft Research Labs, India

  • S. Chandrasekhar linkdin
    S. Chandrasekhar

    Senior Professor, Digital Business and Analytics
    Jagdish Sheth School of Management, Bangalore

  • Sunil linkdin
    Sunil Abraham

    Public Policy Director - Data Economy and Emerging Technologies,
    Meta

Resources
Evaluation Criteria
Applicant Journey
HPAIC
Media Coverage
FAQs
What are the steps to participate in this grand challenge?

Please refer to the document in the Resources section in the website.

Is there any application fee?

No. There is no fee associated for application.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Please refer to the Eligibility Criteria on the website.

Why do we need a single Point of Contact (SPOC) in each team? Who will nominate that person?

Each team is required to nominate a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to whom all communications shall be addressed. The SPOC should be a working member of the team and at no point shall leave the team without prior intimation to the organisers.

How will we know the status of the application?

Upon submission of the application, you will receive an acknowledgment message on your screen. You will also have an option to save/print your response. In case of any questions, you can reach out to our email address mentioned on the website.

Is there an offline application form that I can refer to?

No, only online applications would be considered.

Can the applicants submit more than one application under the provided themes?

Yes. Applicants may submit multiple use cases under different themes. In addition, they can also submit multiple use cases under one theme.

Can applicants submit multiple approaches/ideas/options in their approach note?

Only one idea can be submitted for one use case. However, if the applicants wants to develop PoC/MVP for multiple use cases, they need to submit individual approach notes with a different SPOC for each submission.

Can two startups/ISVs collaborate for this challenge?

Yes. However, only one startup will have to take the lead throughout the process: submission of approach notes, PoC/MVP submittal, and final presentation. The second startup can play the supporting role. It is mandatory to disclose such collaborations in the approach note stage.
The prize money (if applicable) will be given to the primary startup.

What is the minimum and the maximum number of members in a team allowed?

Each team should have a minimum of one and a maximum of four members.

Can members of the team change after the submission of the approach note?

Any team member, except the SPOC can leave during the grand challenge but he/she cannot be replaced by anyone. In case the SPOC leaves, the nasscom team must be informed immediately via email.

Is there any specific methodology to be adopted for developing the PoC/MVP?

It is up to the developers to come up with the methodology that can get the best results.

Will there be any travel involved?

No travel is necessary during the execution/development phase. The applicant team needs to travel at their expense to Bangalore/Delhi NCR for final presentation if selected by the jury. The city of final presentation will be intimated later.

What are the evaluation criteria for the approach note and the final PoC/MVP?

Please refer to the document in the Resources section in the website.

After submitting the approach note, should I wait for the evaluation to proceed with the development work?

No. Applicants who submit the approach notes can proceed with the development. If the approach note is not shortlisted for the next stage, then nasscom team will send an intimation informing the same.

What is the deadline to register for this grand challenge?

Monday, Sep 02, 2024, 11:59 PM

What do we mean by Open-source GenAI Grand Challenge?

The developer should use at least one open-source technology/LLM in their overall technology stack.

How will the submitted data/information be shared or used?

The information shared by you/your company in the application or otherwise will be reviewed only by the organizing team and the jury members. Post completion, the organizers and/or its partners may undertake coverage of the winning entries through various means and forms. This is only to showcase and further amplify the work accomplished by you/your company.
nasscom partners and its affiliates may send promotional materials and information to update you about their latest products and services. Your data is safe with us and will not be used for any other purpose.

How does a startup/ISV submit the approach note and the final PoC/MVP?

Approach note must be submitted along with the application form.
Once the Solution/PoC is developed for the chosen business problem, a video presentation should be submitted to give a demo along with the PDF version of the presentation.

The approach notes mandates that the data sources be mentioned. What are the guidelines to identify whether a source of data is credible?

Your own company’s data, any publicly available or subscription-based data can be used to solve the chosen business problem. The data used should be from a credible source and should be reproducible at any point in time of model evaluation. All data sources must be mentioned in the final presentation as well.

If a proprietary or subscription-based access / data related to the problem statement is to be procured, will the organizers reimburse the cost incurred?

No, the cost of gathering/accessing data will have to be borne by the participants.

Do we need to document the assumptions?

Yes, the assumptions should be stated in the approach notes as well as in the final presentation.

Does the entire code have to be fully working?

Yes, the algorithm should be submitted in fully working condition.

Are we expected to build a proof of concept (PoC) or minimum viable product (MVP)?

Yes. Only working PoC/MVP will be considered for evaluation. Applicants can submit their existing solutions as well.

Who owns the IP of the solution/PoC developed?

After the grand challenge, the data and developed PoC will be owned by the applicants or the organization who developed it.
We encourage the developers wherever possible to make the results available in public forum (open access).

What should be included in the final presentation?

A video showcasing the framework followed to solve the use case, the uniqueness of your approach, and the outcomes of your solution/PoC along with the performance metrics.

What are the final submittals in the AI for Business Grand Challenge?

1. PowerPoint presentation converted to PDF format
2. Self-recorded video presentation of your PoC/MVP

What should be the length of the video presentation?

The final video presentation should not be more than 5 minutes long.

If I have unanswered questions, who do I contact?

We encourage you to read the FAQs thoroughly. If you still have any specific questions, you can write to us at naigc@nasscom.in.

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