News Highlight
The Union Minister for Commerce said if India aspires to be a developed nation by 2047, artificial intelligence will help the country reach that destination.
Key Takeaway
- The Union Minister for Commerce addressed the 3rd edition of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit and Awards.
- The minister said the Make in India program would enable India to become the world’s factory, providing equipment and technology.
- He cited the example of the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), which is leveraging AI to improve the entire logistics ecosystem of the country.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
- It is the ability of a computer or a digital gadget controlled by a computer to do tasks that humans usually do because they require human intelligence and discernment.
Applications of AI.
- Healthcare:
- A joint venture between Microsoft and Indian start-up ‘Forus Health’ has developed a portable device named “3Nethra” that can screen for common eye problems and complicated conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
- Agriculture:
- AI is used for soil care, sowing, herbicide optimisation, and precision farming.
- The Coffee Board of India started using AI in activities.
- Manufacturing:
- AI helps to automate the entire manufacturing process from manufacturing to testing.
- Data analysis:
- Data analytics using intelligent software to analyse financial data and predict market behaviour and trends in the stock market.
- Disaster management:
- Satellite images and AI analysis can assist governments in making quick decisions before and after natural disasters.
- Education:
- AI can be used to develop customised learning tools and interactive and intelligent tutoring systems.
- Cyber defence:
- AI systems could detect vulnerabilities and perform response actions like self-patching.
- Exploration:
- AI-based tools and machines are used to explore the areas which are next to impossible for human presence.
- For example, deep water and ocean floor exploration and space exploration.
- Smart Cities and Infrastructure:
- AI can help with service delivery, crowd management, cyber security, public safety, and water and waste management.
- For example, Bandicoot robots have been developed for sewer cleaning to end manual scavenging.
Challenges and Issues
- Risk of Unemployment:
- AI-based automation in industrial units can effectively remove the requirement for many jobs in the unskilled sectors.
- Exacerbating Inequalities:
- Using artificial intelligence, a company can drastically reduce reliance on the human workforce, which means that revenues will go to fewer people.
- Machine error:
- Though AI be precise, it still lacks a human angle and can make decisions which are not always suited to the required interests.
- Data Privacy Concerns:
- AI also presents serious data privacy concerns. The algorithm’s never-ending quest for data has led to our digital footprints being harvested and sold without our knowledge or informed consent.
- Tech Addiction:
- Technological addiction is the new frontier of human dependency. AI has already become effective at directing human attention and triggering specific actions.
- E-waste:
- The more dependent on AI, the more e-waste would generate.
- It is a severe concern to flora and fauna.
The government took steps.
- Digital India Boost:
- In 202, the government increased the outlay for Digital India to $477 million to boost AI, IoT, Big data etc.
- CAIR:
- The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) is a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory.
- It is a premier laboratory of DRDO involved in Research and Development in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Command and Control, and Information and Communication Security leading to the development of Mission Critical products for Battlefield secure communication and information management systems.
- National Research Foundation:
- The idea is to set up a National Research Foundation (NRF) in India to catalyse, facilitate, coordinate, seed, grow, and mentor research in institutions around the country.
- NSAI:
- NITI Aayog has published the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI), which has identified five core areas for applying Artificial Intelligence.
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Education
- Smart Cities
- Infrastructure
- NITI Aayog has published the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI), which has identified five core areas for applying Artificial Intelligence.
Way forward
- Integrating with schemes:
- AI can help in the major schemes of the government, Digital India, make in India and Skill India.
- Local creations:
- Most of the applications developed elsewhere in the world can be done in India.
- Infrastructure:
- The government must create infrastructure to support the development of AI applications.
- Regulation:
- As AI applications touch several aspects of human life, regulations are needed to ensure the safety of people.
- Upskilling:
- To cope with the problems due to the loss of jobs, the workforce will have to be retained to take up new types of jobs which may emerge with the automation of the processes.
- Data protection law:
- India needs to legislate a data protection law that would mitigate data breaches.
Global Artificial Intelligence Summit (GAISA)
- About:
- GAISA-Global Artificial Intelligence Summit focuses on the prominence of AI in human lives and business industries.
- Aims:
- The aim is to develop a roadmap on how to use the AI ecosystem and startups for the benefit of society.
- Organisation:
- GAISA, organised by the All India Council for Robotics and Automation (AICRA).
- AICRA is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2014.
- GAISA, organised by the All India Council for Robotics and Automation (AICRA).
Content Source: Economic Times