Kruti by Ola: Advanced AI Assistant for Daily Tasks
Imagine a digital assistant that doesn’t just answer your questions—it actually gets things done for you. That’s the vision behind Krutrim’s launch of Kruti, an agentic AI assistant unveiled on June 13, 2025, designed to transform how Indians interact with technology. Built by Ola’s AI unicorn, Krutrim, Kruti is engineered to tackle everyday tasks—from booking cabs and ordering food to paying bills and generating images—using both voice and text, all while supporting 13 Indian languages and adapting to your preferences[1][2][4].
But what makes Kruti stand out in a crowded field of digital assistants? Let’s dive into the backstory, the technology, and what this means for the future of AI in India and beyond.
The Rise of Agentic AI: From Chatbots to Digital Doers
For years, digital assistants have been stuck in a loop of answering questions and fetching information. The big leap forward comes with “agentic” AI—systems that don’t just talk back, but act on your behalf. Krutrim’s Kruti is a prime example. As Bhavish Aggarwal, founder of Krutrim, puts it: “Kruti is the first real step towards the future of AI where technology doesn’t just talk back, but actually helps you get things done.”[1]
Agentic AI is not just about understanding language—it’s about intent, context, and execution. Kruti’s deep integrations with Ola Cabs and ONDC allow it to interpret casual or even colloquial instructions, book rides, order food, and handle payments through secure UPI or card transactions, all within a chat interface[2][3]. The assistant learns your habits—preferred food, frequent destinations—and tailors its suggestions accordingly. Over time, it promises to become a universal assistant, compatible with multiple apps and services.
How Kruti Works: Under the Hood
Kruti is built on Krutrim’s proprietary language models, fine-tuned for India’s multilingual, mobile-first environment. Its natural language processing (NLP) engine can decipher intent from both structured and unstructured prompts, whether you type, speak, or even use regional slang[2]. The system is designed with memory and contextual awareness, allowing it to personalize responses based on past interactions—a feature that sets it apart from traditional chatbots[1].
For example, if you tell Kruti, “Book me a cab to work,” it not only understands that you want a ride but also factors in your usual pickup location, preferred cab type, and even applies available discounts automatically. Similarly, ordering food is a breeze: Kruti can pull up your favorite dishes, apply coupons, and confirm your order, all without you having to repeat yourself[2].
The Real-World Impact: Who Benefits and How?
Kruti’s launch is more than a technical milestone—it’s a cultural one. India is a country of over a billion people, many of whom juggle busy schedules and rely on multiple languages daily. Kruti’s ability to operate in 13 Indian languages, respond in various tones, and adapt to conversational context is a game-changer for accessibility and convenience[1][4].
But the real magic happens behind the scenes. Kruti’s agentic capabilities mean it can handle complex workflows—like coordinating a ride, a meal, and a payment—without micro-management. For example, a user can say, “Order dinner from my favorite restaurant and book a cab for 8 PM,” and Kruti will handle both tasks seamlessly[2][3]. This is a leap beyond what most digital assistants offer, especially in regions with high linguistic diversity and mobile-first internet usage.
Krutrim’s Unique Position in India’s AI Ecosystem
Krutrim, founded by Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal, is not just another AI startup. It’s India’s first AI unicorn, and its focus on building solutions for the Indian market gives it a unique edge. The company’s deep integration with Ola Cabs and ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) means Kruti is not just a standalone app, but a bridge to essential services millions of Indians use daily[2][3].
Navendu Aggarwal, SVP and Head of Business at Krutrim, and Group CIO at Ola Electric, explains: “When a user asks Kruti something like, ‘Book me a cab,’ or ‘Order food,’ Kruti’s natural language processing understands the intent, connects directly with Ola’s backend, and completes the booking within the chat interface.”[2] This level of integration is rare, especially in a market where most AI assistants are still limited to information retrieval.
Challenges and Opportunities: Monetization and Expansion
As with any ambitious tech project, Krutrim faces its share of challenges. For now, Kruti’s capabilities are limited to a select group of partners, but the company plans to expand its network to include more apps and websites, turning Kruti into a universal assistant[2]. Monetization is another frontier. Currently, Krutrim expects to generate revenue through transaction commissions and, potentially, premium subscriptions[2].
But let’s be honest—building trust is just as important as building features. In a country where digital transactions are still gaining ground, Kruti’s secure payment layer and transparent discount application will be key to winning over cautious users[2].
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Agentic AI?
Kruti’s launch is part of a broader trend toward agentic AI assistants. Globally, companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are pushing the boundaries of what AI can do, but Krutrim’s focus on local needs and multilingual support gives it a unique advantage in India[1][4].
Looking ahead, we can expect Kruti to expand its capabilities, integrate with more services, and perhaps even enter new markets. The real test will be how well it adapts to the diverse needs of Indian users, from urban professionals to rural consumers looking for reliable digital assistance.
Comparison Table: Kruti vs. Other AI Assistants
Feature | Kruti (Krutrim) | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa | Apple Siri |
---|---|---|---|---|
Languages Supported | 13 Indian languages | 30+ (global) | 8+ (global) | 21+ (global) |
Agentic Capabilities | Yes (bookings, payments, etc.) | Limited (actions vary) | Limited (skills) | Limited (shortcuts) |
Deep Service Integrations | Ola Cabs, ONDC, payments | Google services, 3rd party | Amazon, 3rd party | Apple services, 3rd party |
Personalization | High (memory, context) | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Monetization | Transaction fees, subscriptions | Ad revenue, services | Hardware, services | Hardware, services |
This table highlights how Kruti stands out in terms of local integrations and agentic abilities, even if it’s not yet as globally ubiquitous as its competitors[1][2][4].
The Future: Where Does Kruti Go From Here?
Kruti’s launch is just the beginning. As someone who’s followed AI for years, I’m excited to see how Krutrim will evolve its assistant. Will it become the go-to digital companion for millions of Indians? Will it expand beyond India, bringing its unique approach to other multilingual markets? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Kruti is setting a new standard for what AI assistants can do in the real world.
If you’re thinking about the future of AI, keep an eye on Krutrim. Their blend of deep local knowledge, robust integrations, and agentic capabilities could be the blueprint for the next generation of digital assistants—not just in India, but globally.
Conclusion and Forward-Looking Insights
Kruti’s debut marks a significant milestone in the evolution of AI assistants. By focusing on agentic capabilities, multilingual support, and deep local integrations, Krutrim is addressing real-world needs in a way that global giants have yet to fully master. The road ahead is full of challenges—monetization, trust, and scaling—but the potential is enormous. As agentic AI becomes the norm, Kruti’s success could inspire a wave of innovation tailored to the unique demands of diverse, mobile-first populations.
Excerpt for Preview:
Ola’s Krutrim launches Kruti, an agentic AI assistant for everyday tasks in 13 Indian languages, offering bookings, payments, and personalized help—a new standard for digital assistants[1][2][4].
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