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Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Ministry of Communications, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AMRITA UNIVERSITY, aiming to spearhead innovation in the realm of Trustworthy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Systems.
TEC, as the recognised Standards Setting Organisation (SSO) in the telecommunications and related ICT sector in India, plays a pivotal role in formulating standards for telecom and related ICT equipment, networks, systems, and services deployed across the Indian Telecom Network.
Responsible AI underscores the importance of unbiased and equitable AI/Machine Learning (ML) systems. In response, TEC has introduced a Standard for Fairness Assessment and Rating of Artificial Intelligence Systems.
Drawing from comprehensive stakeholder consultations and domain expert inputs, TEC introduced the New Standard (No. TEC 57050:2023) for “Fairness Assessment and Rating of Artificial Intelligence Systems” on July 7, 2023. This Standard delineates meticulous procedures for evaluating and rating the fairness of artificial intelligence systems.
Through collaboration with Amrita University, efforts are underway to create tools for systematic bias risk assessment and to establish a robust framework for certifying the fairness and reliability of AI technologies.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, established under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, stands as a multi-campus, multi-disciplinary research university, rated among the top research universities in India.
The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to addressing biases in AI systems and advancing fairness assessments, aligning with the Government of India’s objectives and fostering public trust in these transformative technologies.
At the core of this collaboration lies the endeavour to develop tools for systematic bias risk assessment and establish a robust framework for certifying the fairness and reliability of AI technologies. This initiative gains further significance with the recent release of a Standard for Fairness Assessment and Rating of Artificial Intelligence Systems by TEC, following extensive stakeholder consultations.
Highlighting the transformative potential of this collaboration, Smt Tripti Saxena, Senior Deputy Director General at TEC, emphasised its capacity to drive groundbreaking solutions for fairness assessment and rating of AI systems. By bridging the gap between academia and government bodies, this MoU paves the way for rigorous research and reinforces India’s leadership in AI innovation.
Earlier, TEC forged a partnership with the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), aimed at developing innovation in trustworthy and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
This collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), underscores the shared commitment of both entities to pioneer advancements in responsible AI. Highlighting the importance of addressing biases in AI systems and promoting fairness in assessments, the agreement seeks to enhance public trust and confidence in these transformative technologies, aligning with the strategic goals set forth by the government for the AI industry.
Given the increasing adoption of AI and machine learning (ML) across various sectors and their demonstrated efficacy in public service delivery and e-governance, ensuring equality and impartiality in AI systems has become imperative. Unintended biases in AI applications can lead to a myriad of ethical, social, and legal concerns, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate their impact.
Bias can infiltrate AI systems through various pathways and at different stages of the data and AI lifecycle, potentially influencing other components of AI. Algorithms trained on biased data are known to perpetuate disparities in outcomes, placing certain groups at a disadvantage.
Under this collaborative initiative, TEC and IIIT-Delhi will develop tools to systematically assess bias risks and establish a robust framework for evaluating and certifying the fairness and reliability of AI technologies.
