Krishna Permi's journey to creating Akshar, a free keyboard app supporting 21 Indian languages, began with a simple desire to help his son with Kannada homework. This seemingly mundane task became a catalyst for a much larger project, one that highlights the intricate relationship between technology, privacy, and language in the digital age. In my opinion, Permi's story is a testament to the power of individual initiative and the potential for technology to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, but it also raises important questions about data privacy and the role of developers in shaping user trust.
The Birth of Akshar
Permi's initial motivation was practical: he needed a more efficient way to type in Kannada on his iPhone. Most people in his position would have turned to Google Input Tools, a web-based tool that allows users to type phonetically in English and see Kannada characters appear on screen. However, Permi found this tool lacking in optimisation for mobile use and reliant on an internet connection. This led him to build his own app, which he named Akshar, meaning 'letter' in Sanskrit.
Privacy Concerns and the Quest for On-Device Transliteration
One of the key features of Akshar is its ability to run entirely on-device, without the need for an internet connection. This was a deliberate choice made by Permi to address privacy concerns. When Apple asked developers to declare what data their apps collect, Permi realised that even though he personally wasn't storing anything, every transliteration query was still going out to an external server. This realisation prompted him to seek a fully private, offline, on-device alternative.
The Role of AI4Bharat and IndicXlit
Permi's quest for a privacy-preserving alternative led him to AI4Bharat, a research initiative based at IIT Madras focused on natural language processing for Indian languages. Among their open-source releases was IndicXlit, a transliteration model trained across 21 Indian languages that converts phonetic English input into native scripts. Permi recognised the potential of this model and decided to integrate it into a consumer-level app, which he felt was a breakthrough.
Engineering the Solution
However, integrating IndicXlit into a keyboard app presented its own set of challenges. The keyboard extensions in iOS have strict memory limits, and the IndicXlit model, as released, was too large to fit within these constraints. Permi had to compress the model significantly without degrading its output quality, a technique known as quantisation.
Accuracy and User Feedback
Despite the challenges, Akshar has received positive feedback from users. One user in Maharashtra reported using it to send WhatsApp messages to his business customers in Marathi, while another user in the United States, a second-generation Indian who grew up speaking Indian languages at home, praised the app for being exactly what they were looking for. However, Permi acknowledges that there are still gaps in the app's accuracy, particularly with numbers and autocorrect, which he is working to improve.
The Economics of Free Software
Akshar is free to download and use, and Permi says it will remain free. The economics behind this decision are simpler than they might appear. Because everything runs locally via Core ML, there are no server costs, no API fees, and no scaling infrastructure. This allows Permi to focus on improving the app without the need for external funding.
Future Plans and Broader Vision
When asked about the future of Akshar, Permi expressed interest in bringing the app to Android users, as a large majority of Indian smartphone users are on that platform. He is also keeping a close watch on AI4Bharat's research output for new language models, with the goal of integrating them into Akshar when they become available. Permi sees technology as a way to help people interact, learn, and collaborate without being limited by the language they speak.
In conclusion, Krishna Permi's story is a fascinating blend of personal initiative, technological innovation, and cultural significance. Akshar is more than just a keyboard app; it's a small step toward a broader vision of a more inclusive and accessible digital world. However, it also raises important questions about data privacy and the role of developers in shaping user trust. As technology continues to evolve, it will be crucial to strike a balance between innovation and privacy, ensuring that the benefits of technology are accessible to all while protecting the personal information of users.
