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 sparked an innovative solution, but it also highlighted a critical issue: the privacy implications of keyboard apps. In this article, I will delve into Permi's story, explore the challenges of balancing functionality and privacy, and discuss the broader implications for technology development in India.
A Father's Quest for a Better Keyboard
Permi's initial goal was to find a way to type comfortably in Kannada on his iPhone. He turned to Google Input Tools, but found it lacking in mobile optimization and reliant on an internet connection. This led him to build his own app, which, after a realization about data privacy, evolved into Akshar. The key insight here is that keyboards, unlike most apps, sit between the user and the rest of the system, logging every character typed. This makes them uniquely sensitive to privacy concerns, especially when they require internet access or transmit data to external servers.
The Importance of Privacy in Software
In my opinion, the fact that keyboards are often used for personal and sensitive information, such as OTPs and credit card numbers, makes privacy a non-negotiable feature. Users need to trust that their data is not being collected or transmitted without their consent. This is especially true in India, where there is a growing awareness of data privacy and a demand for apps that respect user privacy. The challenge, as Permi discovered, is finding a balance between functionality and privacy.
AI4Bharat and the Power of Open-Source
Permi's quest for a privacy-preserving keyboard led him to AI4Bharat, a research initiative focused on natural language processing for Indian languages. Their open-source release, IndicXlit, was a game-changer. It allowed Permi to build a keyboard that runs entirely on-device, requiring no internet connection and collecting no user data. This breakthrough was not just a technical achievement but also a reflection of the growing importance of open-source technology in India.
Engineering the Solution
The technical challenges were significant. The IndicXlit model, with its 15 million parameters, needed to be compressed to fit within the memory limits of iOS keyboard extensions. Permi used a technique called quantisation to reduce the model's size without degrading its output quality. This allowed him to create a keyboard that is both functional and privacy-preserving.
Gaps and the Journey to Accuracy
Despite the impressive feat, there are gaps in Akshar's functionality. Numbers don't integrate cleanly with transliterated text, and autocorrect is not yet up to Apple's standard. However, Permi is working on these issues, and the feedback he has received has been overwhelmingly positive. Users are finding innovative ways to use Akshar, such as sending Marathi WhatsApp messages, and are expressing their satisfaction with the app.
A Language App for All
Akshar is free, and Permi intends to keep it that way. The economics are simpler than they might appear: because everything runs locally via Core ML, there are no server costs or API fees. This makes it accessible to a wide range of users, including those who might not be able to afford expensive software. The app's success also highlights the potential for independent developers to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of specific communities.
Looking Ahead
When asked about the future of Akshar, Permi is considering bringing the keyboard to Android. This makes sense, given that 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, such as Gondi, which is not yet supported by IndicXlit. Integrating these models into Akshar would further enhance its functionality and appeal.
A Broader Vision
In my perspective, Akshar is more than just a keyboard app. It is a small step toward a broader vision of technology as a tool for helping people interact, learn, and collaborate without being limited by the language they speak. It is a testament to the power of open-source technology and the importance of privacy in software development. As we look to the future, it is clear that innovations like Akshar will play a crucial role in shaping the digital landscape in India and beyond.
