In a landmark move poised to democratize artificial intelligence for businesses across India, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has announced a joint venture with Meta. The partnership, unveiled at RIL’s 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM), aims to provide accessible and affordable enterprise-grade AI solutions, particularly targeting the country’s vast ecosystem of small and medium businesses (SMBs).
The collaboration will leverage Meta’s open-source Llama models and combine them with Reliance’s extensive digital infrastructure and market reach. Under the agreement, RIL and Meta have committed an initial investment of approximately ₹855 crore (~US$100 million), with Reliance holding a 70% stake and Meta holding 30%. This strategic alliance is designed to create a “secure, full-stack Enterprise AI Platform-as-a-Service,” enabling organizations to customize, deploy, and manage generative AI models for various business functions. The offerings will span across crucial areas like sales, marketing, IT operations, customer service, and finance.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, emphasized the partnership’s goal of democratizing AI. “Partnering with Meta brings our vision of providing AI to every Indian and enterprise to life,” he stated. “We will democratize enterprise-grade AI for every Indian organization, from ambitious SMBs to blue-chip corporates, enabling them to innovate faster, operate more efficiently, and compete confidently on the global stage.”
Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg echoed this sentiment in a video message, highlighting the venture as a key step toward ensuring everyone has access to AI and, eventually, “superintelligence.” He noted that with Reliance’s scale and reach, the powerful Llama models can be brought to every corner of India, boosting productivity, inspiring creativity, and accelerating innovation.
The new venture is a testament to the growing focus on AI in India’s technology landscape. By offering plug-and-play AI tools and flexible deployment options (cloud, on-premises, or using their own infrastructure), the partnership aims to lower the barrier to entry for advanced AI technologies. This will enable startups and smaller firms to harness the power of AI without the prohibitive costs typically associated with such sophisticated technology. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2025. This collaboration not only strengthens the ties between two global behemoths but also positions them at the forefront of India’s AI revolution, promising to transform how businesses operate and innovate.
