JanAI to democratise AI for rural India: YKC Wadiyar

Mysuru: Mysore-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja (YKC) Wadiyar said, the rural communities face a significant risk of exclusion, at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes sectors from agriculture to governance, and thus JanAI initiative has been taken up.

He was speaking at the JanAI, conceptualised by the Head Held High Foundation, and hosted at MYRA School of Business, Mysuru, under the aegis of Bherunda Foundation, in association with Cyberverse Foundation, and Vigyan Labs, to democratise AI for the rural India.

Rooted in the values of Gram Swaraj, Swadeshi Innovation, and AI for All, JanAI envisions rural citizens not merely as technology consumers but as creators, contributors, and co-innovators in India’s AI-driven future.

Much like the ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel) once symbolised self-reliance, JanAI represents a new Digital Swadeshi era—an AI model built in rural India, for rural India, and by rural India. The theme of the conclave was ‘AI for Economic Development and Social Good’. Karakushala Nagara - a model AI First Village - was launched by Wadiyar.

Wadiyar said, “JanAI bridges the divide by introducing accessible, community-friendly, and vernacular AI tools that empower the youth, women, farmers, MSMEs, and local institutions. The initiative ensures that the AI becomes a practical enabler of opportunity, inclusion, livelihoods, and dignified progress for every citizen— every village, every household, every mind.”

“As India moves towards the India AI Impact Summit, initiatives like JanAI send a powerful message that ‘Inclusive growth is not optional — it is the foundation to India’s AI leadership’. JanAI empowers the rural citizens as creators and co-innovators, taking AI beyond cities to transform villages and livelihoods,” Wadiyar added.

Director of Cyberverse Foundation M L Kantharaj Urs said, JanAI bridges the AI divide by making technology accessible, vernacular, and community-owned. He added that AI-First Villages and local ambassadors ensure sustainable, grassroots-led digital transformation.

Jurisdictional Director, STPI Bengaluru, Sanjay Tyagi said, India’s AI leadership must be built on trust, innovation, and inclusion. He emphasised that JanAI creates real rural AI ecosystems, by connecting policy, technology, academia, and communities.

Managing trustee, Head Held High Foundation, Madan Padaki said, JanAI represents a Digital Swadeshi movement where rural India builds its own AI future. He stated that inclusive growth through community-led AI is the foundation of India’s global AI leadership. Sanjay Tyagi and Madan Padaki joined the conclave on video.

Chief culture officer of Head Held High Foundation H Murali, and founder and CEO of Vigyan Labs Srinivas Varadarajan were present.