Amazon Web Services (AWS) India has announced a strategic collaboration with the EkStep Foundation, a non-profit organization, to establish a Joint Innovation Center (JIC). This partnership aims to drive the development of innovative digital solutions tailored for public service delivery across both public and commercial sectors.
The primary objective of the JIC, as articulated by AWS, is to facilitate the creation of digital public goods (DPGs) and digital public infrastructures (DPIs) that can cater to population-scale needs. By leveraging technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and analytics provided by AWS, the JIC intends to support startups, independent software vendors (ISVs), and system integrators (SIs) in developing and deploying impactful solutions.
Emphasizing its commitment to streamlining the adoption of DPGs and DPIs, AWS plans to make these solutions readily accessible via the AWS Partner Network (APN) for one-click deployment. Additionally, AWS aims to showcase these solutions on platforms like the AWS Marketplace and the Open Government Solutions Catalog to enhance their visibility and usability.
Shalini Kapoor, Director and Chief Technologist at AWS India Private Limited, underscored the transformative potential of DPIs in revolutionizing public service delivery. She expressed pleasure in collaborating with EkStep Foundation, highlighting the shared belief that technology can foster a more equitable and inclusive society by addressing challenges at scale.
EkStep Foundation, led by Nandan Nilekani, Rohini Nilekani, and Shankar Maruwada, shares a similar vision of leveraging technology for societal betterment. Shankar Maruwada, the Co-Founder and CEO of EkStep Foundation, emphasized the importance of collective innovation in addressing national challenges and driving positive change.
The JIC is envisioned as a platform to bring together key stakeholders, including developers, facilitators, and implementers, with a focus on domains such as education, agriculture, finance, healthcare, and climate change. Through collaborative efforts, the JIC seeks to accelerate societal progress by fostering the development and deployment of digital solutions that cater to the needs of diverse communities.