India’s presence in the metaverse technology sector is gaining prominence, as demonstrated by India-based Kiya.ai at the recent VivaTech event held in Paris in 2023. Kiya.ai, a company specializing in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technology-based solutions, unveiled its own version of the metaverse called Bharatmeta at the event. The showcase took place at the India Pavilion, marking an important milestone for India’s involvement in the metaverse.
Rajesh Mirjankar, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kiya.ai, highlighted the unique focus of Bharatmeta compared to existing global platforms. While many global platforms primarily offer gaming and virtual goods in the metaverse, Kiya.ai is dedicated to facilitating the commerce of both physical and virtual goods. This approach allows real businesses to embrace and integrate metaverse technology into their operations.
The metaverse itself is a multi-dimensional digital realm that combines virtual reality and augmented reality, providing individuals with immersive and lifelike experiences in an online environment.
Mirjankar further emphasized that Bharatmeta offers practical and meaningful applications for various sectors such as banking, commerce, culture, and collaboration within the metaverse. The platform leverages India’s robust digital infrastructure, including digital payments (including Central Bank Digital Currency – CBDC), digital identity systems, and open commerce frameworks.
By incorporating these features, Bharatmeta aims to enable seamless and secure transactions, foster a vibrant digital economy, and promote inclusive participation in the metaverse. This strategic integration of India’s digital capabilities positions Bharatmeta as a comprehensive solution for businesses and individuals looking to harness the potential of the metaverse while capitalizing on India’s digital advancements.
Kiya.ai celebrated the Azadi Kaa Amrit Mahotsav by showcasing a unique virtual experience on the Bharatmeta platform. As part of the celebration, a virtual monument was created where visitors could witness the Indian flag being hoisted in a virtual setting.
Mirjankar highlighted the inclusive nature of Bharatmeta, emphasizing that the platform aims to make new technologies accessible to all rather than catering solely to a privileged few. To achieve this goal, Bharatmeta is designed to offer an immersive experience across multiple devices, including XR headsets, laptops, mobile handsets, and kiosks. This accessibility ensures that people from both urban and rural areas can equally benefit from the opportunities and advantages offered by the Metaverse.
By prioritizing inclusivity, Bharatmeta aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that a wide range of users can participate in and derive value from the metaverse, regardless of their geographical location or the devices they have access to.
Kiya.ai has established its presence worldwide with 12 offices across the globe. Their services reach more than 550 enterprises in 56 countries, spanning regions such as South-East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Commenting on the Indian start-up ecosystem, Mirjankar expressed his appreciation for the visionary concept known as the ‘India stack.’ This refers to a set of digital public infrastructure components in India that enable seamless and efficient transactions, data sharing, and service delivery. Mirjankar believes that leveraging these digital public goods can significantly reduce the costs associated with bringing innovations to market. It also facilitates the evolution of diverse business models for start-ups and their customers.
He further added that by harnessing these digital public goods, Indian start-ups have the potential to tap into new markets globally. The unique advantages provided by the India stack can open doors for Indian start-ups to expand their reach and impact on a global scale.
