Bhavish Aggarwal’s Krutrim Fires 100 Employees, Weeks After Launching AI Model: Report
Bhavish Aggarwal, the billionaire co-founder of Ola, has fired over 100 employees from his AI startup, Krutrim, just weeks after launching its flagship AI model, Kruti. According to a report by Economic Times, the layoffs primarily affected employees in the linguistics division who were working across 10 Indian languages.
Krutrim, which is an AI-powered conversational platform, had launched its flagship assistant Kruti in November. The model is designed to understand and respond to users in 10 Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and more. The launch was seen as a significant milestone for the startup, which is aiming to revolutionize the way people interact with AI.
However, it seems that the company has decided to re-evaluate its workforce to ensure that it is aligned with its goals and objectives. The layoffs, which affected employees in the linguistics division, were reportedly carried out across multiple locations, including Bengaluru.
Many of the employees who were fired had recently moved to Bengaluru to join the startup. It is understood that the company’s language training for its AI model is nearly complete, which may have led to the decision to downsize its linguistics team.
The layoffs are the second round of job cuts at Krutrim, following a smaller round of layoffs earlier this year. The company had reportedly fired around 20 employees in April, citing the need to restructure its team to better align with its business goals.
The news of the layoffs has sent shockwaves through the startup ecosystem, with many industry insiders expressing surprise and disappointment at the sudden move. Krutrim had been seen as one of the most promising AI startups in India, with its flagship model Kruti being hailed as a game-changer in the field of artificial intelligence.
The company’s AI model, Kruti, is designed to understand and respond to users in multiple languages, making it a valuable tool for businesses and individuals alike. The model uses natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to understand the context and intent behind a user’s query, and responds accordingly.
Krutrim’s decision to launch Kruti in November was seen as a bold move, as it marked the company’s entry into the competitive AI market. The model was launched with much fanfare, and was touted as a potential game-changer for the Indian AI industry.
However, it seems that the company’s enthusiasm may have been short-lived, as the layoffs have raised questions about the company’s financial stability and ability to sustain its operations. The news has also sparked concerns about the future of the company’s AI model, Kruti, and whether it will continue to receive the necessary support and resources to succeed.
In a statement, Krutrim said that the layoffs were a necessary step to ensure the company’s long-term success. “We are committed to building a world-class AI platform that will transform the way people interact with machines,” the company said. “To achieve this, we need to ensure that our team is aligned with our goals and objectives, and that we have the right people in the right roles to deliver this vision.”
The layoffs at Krutrim are a sobering reminder of the challenges facing the Indian startup ecosystem, where funding is scarce and competition is fierce. Despite the challenges, many startups are pushing the boundaries of innovation, and Krutrim is no exception.
As the company looks to rebuild and refocus its efforts, one thing is clear: the future of AI in India is bright, and Krutrim is determined to play a key role in shaping it.
