Manu Chopra’s AI startup Karya is reshaping artificial intelligence by paying rural villagers ₹450 an hour-nearly 20 times the local minimum wage-to record speech in their native languages. This socially conscious model creates diverse datasets for AI systems while empowering rural communities with sustainable income opportunities.
Founded in 2021 by Stanford graduate Manu Chopra, Karya is pioneering a unique approach to AI development by connecting global technology needs with rural employment. The startup compensates villagers generously for contributing voice data in regional languages, ensuring that AI systems are trained beyond English and reflect India’s linguistic diversity.
By paying ₹450 an hour, Karya not only provides meaningful work but also addresses poverty in low-income communities. The initiative has been highlighted at the NDTV AI Summit 2026, where Chopra emphasized the importance of making AI sovereign and inclusive.
Industry observers note that Karya’s model represents conscious capitalism—leveraging technology for social good while solving a critical challenge in AI: the lack of diverse, high-quality language datasets. This approach positions Karya as both a tech innovator and a social impact leader.
Key Highlights
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Villagers paid ₹450 an hour, 20 times local minimum wage
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Data collected in native languages for AI training
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Founded in 2021 by Manu Chopra, Stanford graduate
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Model bridges rural employment with global AI demand
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Presented at NDTV AI Summit 2026 on inclusive AI
Sources: NDTV, Finscann, Forbes India