A new framework,the Next-Billion AI Index (Nexbax AI Index), aims to change how we evaluate artificial intelligence for over a billion users in India and the Global South . Researchers from IBM Research, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and Harvard University joined forces to rethink the metrics used in the global AI industry. Those metrics often miss the unique needs of these regions.
The Nexbax AI Index debuted at India AI Summit in February 2026. Its creators argue that current benchmarks don’t reflect the realities users face in emerging markets. Subhabrata Majumdar, an assistant professor at IIMB,emphasized the need to evaluate AI systems based on how well they work in these environments. Users often depend on low-cost devices with spotty connectivity and come from varied linguistic and educational backgrounds.
This framework includes ten measurable dimensions grouped into three themes: Effective Efficiency,Operational Practicality, and Societal Integrity. Key dimensions cover cost-effectiveness, reliability, usability, and inclusivity. The goal? To make sure AI systems can be trusted and sustained in real-world applications,especially for grassroots workers like ASHA health workers in remote villages .
The research team consulted eleven AI technology experts to assess the initial version of the index. Founders,developers,and product leaders provided insights on the clarity and usefulness of the dimensions. Their feedback suggested the index could be valuable tool for assessing AI utility in next-billion contexts .
“The experts we interviewed felt the index was useful for reasoning about AI utility and adoption in next-billion settings from a developer and product perspective,” Majumdar said .
During the evaluation, participants rated various technology setups based on the ten dimensions. Cost-effectiveness ranked as the top priority,with usability and trustworthiness also called out as key factors. This feedback shows the Nexbax AI Index tackles crucial aspects of decision-making in the AI landscape.
Experts found the dimensions generally easy to apply, though some needed guidance from researchers. The Nexbax Index isn’t just about creating new metric . It shifts focus from which AI systems perform best in ideal conditions to those that promote useful, inclusive,and sustainable adoption among the next billion users.
Future updates to the Nexbax AI Index will seek wider feedback from more diverse group of stakeholders,including public-sector implementers and local domain experts. This expansion aims to refine the index and boost its relevance in tackling the specific challenges faced by users in developing regions .
