Google’s 10th ‘Google for India’ event had a whole host of announcements – from search to AI, among other things. It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since Google kicked off this initiative, during which India’s tech landscape has transformed beyond recognition. From having the world’s lowest data prices to UPI revolutionising our financial transactions, India hasn’t just kept pace with the digital age – it has set the tempo for innovating for the future..
Google for India 2024 wasn’t just about new features or apps, but how Google plans to harness the power of AI to supercharge India’s growth and address some of its most pressing challenges. Google believes so strongly about India’s AI-led growth story, it has even released a whitepaper to make its case – that India’s strong AI skills, start-up ecosystem, and investment in digital transformation can drive significant economic growth and societal benefits through AI
Also read: Google Maps will now send alerts for fog and floods, gets AI features to save your time too
Here are the five most important announcements from the event, and why I believe they’re noteworthy….
1) Google Play Protect for side-loaded Android apps
Fraud and scams are the dark underbelly of our digital lives, and they’re only growing with every day of the week. According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Indians lost over ₹1,750 crore to cybercriminals in just the first four months of 2024. In an effort to improve Android smartphone security, Google is stepping up its game with a new pilot program that expands Google Play Protect’s security capabilities. This initiative focuses on apps installed from sideloading sources – those downloaded outside the official app stores – which are often the culprits in financial fraud 95% of the time.
By analysing and automatically blocking the installation of apps requesting sensitive permissions commonly abused for fraud, Google aims to nip the problem of financial fraud in the bud. In Singapore alone, this approach has already blocked nearly 900,000 high-risk installations. For a country like India, where smartphone penetration is skyrocketing and new users are coming online every day, this could be a game-changer in protecting the most vulnerable from financial scams.
This is a crucial step, because financial fraud doesn’t just affect individual victims – it ultimately erodes trust in digital platforms, which is a bigger worry. Let’s see how effective this initiative is in India, but good to see Google make a concerted effort to tackle the problem.
2) Indian AI data to stay in India
Data sovereignty isn’t just a buzzword, but a critical necessity – especially in sectors like healthcare and finance where data residency is mandatory. Google announced that later this year, Indian organisations across all sectors will have the option to store their data at rest and conduct machine learning processing entirely within India, using their large language model, Gemini 1.5 Flash.
This is another important development, as keeping data within national borders not only complies with regulations but also enhances security and control. For large Indian enterprises wary of sending sensitive data overseas, this move could accelerate the adoption of AI technologies big time. This Google initiative also aligns with the Indian government’s push towards digital self-reliance, or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ by empowering local organisations with world-class tools while maintaining data sovereignty.
3) Building India’s digital health infrastructure
Healthcare in India is a paradox of immense challenges and immense opportunities. Google’s collaboration with the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a significant step toward modernising our country’s healthcare infrastructure. By supporting the integration of health apps with ABDM’s digital architecture, Google aims to reduce the integration time from up to six months to less than two weeks.
Also starting next year, ABHA health ID cards will be accessible on Google Wallet in partnership with Eka Care. This means over 600 million users will be able to securely manage their health information, like lab reports and prescriptions, directly from their smartphones, claims Google.
In terms of healthcare accessibility, this Google’s attempt to integrate and drive adoption of ABHA health ID cards – similar to how “GPay” is synonymous with UPI’s platform. It could streamline processes, making critical information available when it’s needed most. For rural areas, where medical facilities are sparse, this could be a potential game-changing moment.
4) Gemini Live in 9 Indian Languages
Language diversity is both a strength and a challenge for India. While over 40% of Gemini’s Indian users rely on voice interactions, the availability has been limited to English and Hindi. Google is rolling out Gemini Live in Hindi today, with eight more Indian languages – Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu – to follow.
By making AI assistants available in regional languages, Google is democratising access to information and services. It opens up possibilities for hundreds of millions who are more comfortable in their mother tongue, rather than force them to use an unknown language. This move could significantly boost digital literacy and inclusion across the country.
5) Searching with AI Overviews and Video
Google is enhancing search capabilities with AI Overviews in more Indian languages and introducing the ability to search using video through Google Lens. Imagine recording a video of a malfunctioning pressure cooker and asking, “How do I fix this?” The AI provides an overview with helpful links to guide you.
This isn’t just a nifty feature; it’s a shift towards a more intuitive and accessible internet. For users who may struggle with text-based searches, especially in rural or less literate populations, the ability to search using images and videos can make the digital world far more approachable.
Also read: Google’s antitrust cases in India: A brief history
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Jayesh Shinde
Executive Editor at Digit. Technology journalist since Jan 2008, with stints at Indiatimes.com and PCWorld.in. Enthusiastic dad, reluctant traveler, weekend gamer, LOTR nerd, pseudo bon vivant. View Full Profile
