Kamal Devaki: Democratizing AI and Driving Ethical Innovation

What if the future of artificial intelligence wasn’t just about advancing technology, but about making it accessible to everyone? How can AI be used not only by large corporations but also by smaller enterprises, empowering them to tackle real-world challenges? What if ethical considerations were at the core of every AI development, ensuring that the solutions we create today lead to a better, more inclusive tomorrow? These are the questions that Kamalakar Devaki, Founder and CEO of SandLogic Technologies, has long pondered and sought to answer through his work. SandLogic, under Kamal’s leadership, is not just focused on creating cutting-edge AI solutions; it’s about democratizing technology, ensuring that even the smallest businesses can harness the power of AI to drive growth and innovation.

Kamal was inspired to start the company by his desire to leverage AI for solving real-world challenges across various industries. His vision for the company centers around making AI technology accessible to not just large corporations but also smaller enterprises, enabling them to harness the power of advanced AI solutions. SandLogic’s goal is to democratize AI, particularly in areas such as generative AI, edge computing, and AI chip design. The company aims to lead the way in developing impactful and responsible AI solutions that have a global influence.

Driving Responsible AI Solutions on a Global Scale

Kamal shared that his journey to founding the company was driven by a strong desire to leverage AI for solving real-world challenges across a variety of industries. He envisioned a future where technology could empower not just large corporations but also smaller enterprises with advanced AI capabilities. His vision for SandLogic is clear: to democratize AI, making it accessible and reliable, particularly in areas like generative AI and edge computing. Kamal believes in leading the charge in AI innovation, specifically in AI chip design, language models, and edge AI solutions, with the aim of driving impactful, responsible AI solutions on a global scale.

Reflecting on the evolution of generative AI, Kamal expressed his belief that the technology is becoming an essential tool across multiple industries, from content creation to decision-making. He foresees that in the coming years, generative AI will focus on efficiency, domain-specific adaptability, and ethical considerations. Under his leadership, SandLogic is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution with innovations like Lingo and LingoForge, which enable businesses to harness the power of generative AI for real-time insights and specialized applications. While Lingo has been a cornerstone of SandLogic’s product suite, LingoForge represents the next evolution, specifically tailored to meet enterprise needs.

  • Enterprise Language Model Creation: LingoForge empowers businesses to create domain-specific LLMs with features like on-premise training, token orchestration, and real-time adaptability.
  • Indic Language Focus: With its deep focus on supporting regional and Indic languages, LingoForge bridges a critical gap in enterprise AI for diverse markets like India.
  • Edge Deployment Capability: LingoForge is optimized for edge computing, ensuring real-time processing even on devices with limited computational resources, such as IoT systems and mobile devices.
  • Privacy and Role-Based Data Access: With stringent privacy measures and role-based data access, LingoForge offers unparalleled security for sensitive enterprise data.

In contrast to Lingo’s real-time insights and general-purpose functionality, LingoForge is a robust, privacy-focused platform for enterprises seeking scalable AI solutions.

Kamal also highlighted the significance of the ExSLerate AI chip, a breakthrough in edge computing. He emphasized how the chip, which delivers high-performance AI capabilities while consuming minimal power, can transform edge devices like IoT systems, wearables, and mobile devices. With a core performance of up to 15 TOPS and ultra-low power consumption, the ExSLerate chip allows for real-time AI processing on devices without the need for cloud connectivity, enabling faster decision-making and autonomous operations.

Vision for Smarter AI Solutions

Turning to SandLogic’s product, TXTR, Kamal discussed how it is designed to revolutionize industries that rely heavily on processing text data. In sectors such as BFSI, healthcare, and logistics, TXTR helps streamline workflows by automating document verification, processing, and compliance. Kamal’s vision for TXTR is clear: to empower industries with efficient, AI-driven text data processing that drives productivity and reduces errors, ultimately making businesses more agile and competitive.

One of Kamal’s proudest innovations is LingoForge, which is particularly noteworthy for its deep focus on Indic languages. Kamal recognized that many language models do not prioritize the rich diversity of languages in India, so LingoForge was created to fill that gap, enabling businesses to connect with a broader domestic audience. Moreover, LingoForge is optimized for edge deployments, offering real-time processing even on devices with limited computational resources. According to Kamal, LingoForge’s adaptability and privacy-focused features, such as role-based data access and on-premises model training, make it a unique solution tailored for enterprises seeking to scale AI across diverse use cases.

Fueling the Future

Chips to Startup (C2S) Program: As part of the Indian government’s initiative, SandLogic received grants and access to advanced tools such as Cadence and Synopsys for chip design and fabrication. This recognition underscores the company’s expertise in AI chip development, contributing to its flagship product, the ExSLerate chip.

Qualcomm Mentorship Program: SandLogic’s inclusion in Qualcomm’s QSMP program provided invaluable mentorship, driving advancements in edge AI and generative AI solutions.

NASSCOM DeepTech Club: Being a member of the NASSCOM DeepTech Club highlights SandLogic’s leadership in deep tech innovation, connecting it with a robust network of industry leaders and opportunities for growth.

Drive for Agile, Privacy-Focused AI with LingoForge

The orchestration engine in LingoForge, Kamal explained, allows enterprises to perform real-time language model authoring by simplifying token creation, data processing, and model training. This feature provides businesses with the agility to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, regulations, or trends. Kamal stressed the importance of real-time authoring in enabling businesses to stay competitive, responding instantly to shifts without compromising data privacy.

Throughout the development of these innovative products, Kamal and his team faced several challenges, particularly in building high-performance models that are resource-efficient while addressing the specific needs of enterprise clients. Kamal shared that striking the right balance between model complexity, speed, efficiency, and privacy was a significant hurdle. By focusing on lightweight architectures and edge AI solutions, SandLogic was able to overcome these challenges. Collaboration with industry experts and staying true to a user-focused design approach also played key roles in overcoming obstacles.

Medals of Merit

The recognition Kamal has received, including prestigious awards such as the ‘Aegis Graham Bell Award,’ ‘National Startup Award,’ and ‘Best Technology Startup of the Year,’ has had a profound impact on his leadership approach. Kamal views these accolades as affirmations of SandLogic’s commitment to innovation and excellence. These recognitions not only validate his efforts but also inspire him and his team to continue setting new standards in AI and technology. For Kamal, these awards are a constant reminder of the responsibility to push boundaries and maintain a focus on value-driven, ethical innovation.

Looking ahead, Kamal believes that the most transformative trends in AI technology will be the integration of generative AI in decision-making, advancements in edge AI for real-time processing, and the development of ethical AI frameworks. These trends, according to Kamal, will revolutionize the way businesses utilize AI, making it more precise, accessible, and accountable. He is committed to ensuring that SandLogic’s products are aligned with these future advancements, enabling the company to remain at the cutting edge of AI technology.

Commitment to Ethical Innovation with Halumon

Ethics has always been a core value for Kamal. He believes that ethical considerations should be embedded in AI development from the very beginning. At SandLogic, Kamal has championed the integration of transparency, safety, and fairness into every AI solution. The Halumon framework plays a crucial role in this process, providing tools to assess and mitigate issues like biases, hallucinations, and harmful content in AI models. Kamal’s proactive approach ensures that SandLogic’s AI solutions remain responsible and aligned with ethical standards, helping safeguard against unintended consequences.

Fueling Innovation to Drive Purposeful Change

When asked about advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to make their mark in AI, Kamal’s guidance was straightforward: focus on solving real-world problems, stay curious, build expertise in a specific area, and remain resilient. He believes that AI is a powerful tool that should be used responsibly to create value, and entrepreneurs should always seek to drive meaningful change through innovation.

Reflecting on his journey, Kamal shared that the most rewarding experience has been seeing the direct impact of SandLogic’s solutions in industries where AI was previously underutilized or inaccessible. Witnessing clients’ success and the growth of his team has reaffirmed his vision and motivated him to continue pushing the boundaries of AI. For Kamal, the journey is about more than just technological advancement—it’s about making a difference in the world through the responsible use of AI.

At SandLogic, the belief in the power of constant evolution, openness, and collaboration drives everything they do. The company’s mission extends beyond just developing innovative products; they aim to build a lasting legacy in the AI community by making meaningful contributions through open-source initiatives and strategic partnerships. SandLogic is dedicated to making advanced AI more accessible, not only by democratizing technology but also by sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices with the broader ecosystem.

Fostering a Culture of Ethical Innovation

The company fosters a culture deeply rooted in ethical innovation, ensuring that every development decision is made with a commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and societal impact. The team at SandLogic is passionate about addressing real-world challenges, whether through the creation of language models that support regional languages, the design of low-power edge AI chips, or the establishment of benchmarks for responsible AI deployment. As AI continues to shape the future, SandLogic envisions itself as a leader in building solutions that serve enterprises while also empowering individuals. Though they are still in the early stages of their journey, the team is eager to explore new frontiers, embrace emerging challenges, and make a positive impact on industries and communities around the world.