Q.
India has the potential to leverage artificial
intelligence technology to build frameworks to empower
people, create equity and achieve economic
development. Discuss. (200W, 10M)
Introduction:
o Start with explaining artificial intelligence (AI) technology in brief.
Body:
o Discuss the potential of AI in empowering people, create equity and achieve
economic development.
o Enumerate challenges associated with the use of AI technology.
Conclusion:
o Give a way forward..
Answer:
Introduction:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machines performing tasks that traditionally
required human intelligence. This includes technologies like machine learning,
pattern recognition, big data analysis, neural networks, and self-learning algorithms.
As AI becomes more prevalent, India has the potential to leverage vast datasets to
empower people, promote equity, and strive towards its goal of achieving USD 1 trillion
of economic value using digital technologies by 2025.
Body:
Potential of AI in India
o National Strategy For AI: A recent PwC report indicated that AI can provide a global
economic value addition of up to USD 15.7 trillion by 2030. Recognising this potential,
the government released the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI) in June
2018.
o Deregulation of Geospatial Sector: Recently, the government has deregulated the
geospatial sector. It can lead to transformation of various sectors such as
infrastructure, health, and help in designing climate change resilient cities.
o Reducing Energy Losses: By using AI in the energy sector, renewable energy
generators and Discoms can cut losses and increase efficiencies by better predicting
grid load management, and ultimately making the adoption of renewables cost-
effective.
o AI solutions to Emerging Trends: Within the government machinery, policymakers
are moving forward with incorporating AI solutions for effective tax monitoring, data
compliance etc.
o AI-based solutions on water management, crop insurance and pest control are
also being developed. ICRISAT has developed an AI-power sowing app, which utilises
weather models and data on local crop yield and rainfall to more accurately predict
and advise local farmers on when they should plant their seeds.
o An AI-based flood forecasting model that has been implemented in Bihar is now
being expanded to cover the whole of India to ensure that around 200 million people
get alerts and warnings 48 hours earlier about impending floods.
Challenges With Wide Use of AI
o Comprising Privacy: AI systems learn by analyzing huge volumes of data and they
keep adapting through continuous modelling of interaction data and user-feedback.
o Thus, with the increasing use of AI, the right to privacy can be under threat due
to unauthorized access to one’s activity data.
o Disproportionate Power and Control: Technology giants are investing heavily in
regard to artificial intelligence, both at the scientific/engineering and also at the
commercial and product development level.
o These big players have an unmatched advantage when compared to any
ambitious competitor out there which is a symptom of data-oligarchic society.
o Exacerbating Inequalities: Using artificial intelligence, a company can drastically
cut down on relying on the human workforce, and this means that revenues will go to
fewer people. AI could compound digital exclusion.
Way Forward:
o Create an Enabling Ecosystem: Introduce multidisciplinary approaches with AI at
their core in schools to empower the next generation to design practical AI solutions.
o Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Initiatives like Future Skills Prime demonstrate the
strength of PPPs in providing digital-ready courses for citizens, government
employees, and businesses, promoting responsible AI.
o Uniform Standard Rules: Standardising the rules of the game will help expand
markets for positive AI-driven goods and services.
o Collaboration: Stakeholders must collaborate to guide AI towards benevolent
purposes. This includes innovators, policymakers, academicians, industry experts,
philanthropic foundations, multilaterals, and civil society.
THANK YOU
