Digital India’s Bid on Artificial Intelligence: Robot Rights or Regulatory Rumble?
- India’s services export in 2021-22 amounted to USD 254.5 billion, with IT and BPO comprising USD 157 billion, indicating the significance of Digital India for sustained growth.
- The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to elevate India from “business runners” to “business changers” globally, but it also raises concerns about human nature and opinions.
- While global efforts to regulate AI intensify, India’s approach remains relatively hands-off, acknowledging concerns regarding transparency, data privacy, and responsibility.
- The question arises whether India will maintain its liberal approach to AI regulation or adopt stricter measures akin to the EU or US, considering factors such as economic development, societal complexities, and population dynamics.
- Policy formulation for AI is suggested by the author due to its unprecedented impact and India’s diverse nature, emphasizing the need to ensure access to AI while mitigating complexities.
- The “INDIAai” Programme aims to leverage AI for inclusion, innovation, and social impact, highlighting the importance of responsible AI governance and ethics.
- Sector-specific regulations may be preferable over overarching policies to accommodate the varied risks and benefits of AI in different fields.
- Ethical development of AI involves promoting values like justice, accountability, and openness, possibly through algorithmic audits and disclosure requirements.
- Retraining and upskilling initiatives are necessary to help workers adapt to the changing workforce landscape influenced by AI automation.
- Promoting responsible innovation through collaboration between stakeholders and robust data governance to ensure privacy and security are essential components of India’s AI strategy.
