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India is home to the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, elite science and technology institutions like the IITs, robust and ubiquitous digital infrastructure and millions of newly-minted STEM graduates every year.
A such, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in the development of artificial intelligence. Industry analysts predict that AI could add up to $957 billion to India’s economy by 2035. India hopes to stand out in the international community not just as a leader in the Artificial Intelligence field, but also as a model to show the world how to responsibly direct AI for social empowerment. The nation has robust plans to leverage AI for inclusive development, representing the country’s ‘AI for All’ strategy.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said Artificial intelligence is a tribute to human intellectual power, enabling humans to innovate tools and technologies. Today, these tools and technologies have also acquired the power to learn and think! The combination of AI with humans can do wonders for the planet.
India wants to become a global hub for AI and its approach is powered by core principles of Teamwork, Trust, Collaboration, Responsibility and Inclusivity. India’s National Programme on Artificial Intelligence is dedicated to the rightful use of AI for solving problems of society. It will be implemented with the support of all stakeholders.
India has deployed technology comprehensively to improve transparency and service delivery. Home to the world’s largest unique identity system (Aadhaar), India also has one of the world’s most innovative digital payments system (UPI). The nation has been rapidly expanding its optical fibre network with the aim is to provide every village with high-speed internet connectivity.
Such large-scale, tech-empowered programmes combined with expanded connectivity have enabled access to digital services, including financial services, like Direct Cash Transfers to the poor and marginalised.
Recently, India inaugurated launched the Atal Innovation Mission to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Further, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) is being formed that will create an e-Education unit to boost the digital infrastructure, digital content and capacity. Virtual labs are being established to provide hands-on experience to learners.
Through these steps, India hopes to keep pace with emerging technologies for the benefit of its citizens and the world at large.
None-the-less India is still exploring how best to use and deploy Artificial Intelligence in the optimal management of its national assets and resources, delivering more citizen-services promptly and conveniently as well as finding a bigger role for AI in agriculture, healthcare, urban infrastructure and problems of climate change.
‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020 – RAISE – is India’s mega virtual summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog scheduled to run from October 5-9.
A global convergence of ideas, RAISE 2020 is a virtual meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility, among other sectors.
The event anticipates robust participation from global industry leaders, key opinion makers, Government representatives and academia. Delegates and experts in research, policy and innovation on Artificial Intelligence will join virtually to discuss cross-sector subjects like ‘Leveraging AI for Pandemic Preparedness’, ‘The Impetus that Innovation Places on Digitisation’, ‘Inclusive AI’, ‘Partnerships for Successful Innovation’ etc.