The Union IT Minister of India, Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently announced the launch of the Indian Rupees 10,000 crore India AI Mission in the next two to three months, aimed at bolstering artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across the country.
At the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024, Vaishnaw unveiled that this includes procuring over 10,000 GPUs through public-private partnerships to boost industry efficiency. Additionally, plans involve establishing an AI innovation center and providing high-quality datasets to support startup efforts.
Alongside these infrastructure developments, an application development initiative targets solutions for socio-economic challenges, complemented by a strong emphasis on skill development to empower a proficient AI workforce.
The previous Union Cabinet gave its approval to the IndiaAI Mission earlier this year, in front of the Lok Sabha elections. Despite being merely a blueprint, it could stimulate investments in AI infrastructure, potentially leading to the establishment of data centers
By promoting AI research and development, the mission aims to boost innovation and competitiveness, contributing to economic growth.
Vaishnaw emphasized the need for accessible technology, expressing concerns over rising costs and its concentration among a few companies like government-run industries and large tech companies. He underscored India’s commitment to ensuring technology is widely accessible, drawing parallels with its initiatives in digital public infrastructure.
Vaishnaw also noted the importance of international regulatory responses to AI concerns, pointing to the AI Act in the European Union and presidential directives in the United States as noteworthy examples. He characterized these actions as “very relevant”, highlighting the significance of global initiatives to adequately regulate the effects of AI on society.
Vaishnaw highlighted the universal relevance of global regulatory efforts in managing AI challenges, emphasizing the need for collective support, particularly from the global south.
The minister claimed that although artificial intelligence (AI) has had a “momentous” year, with the increase in its use and excitement about how it can alter businesses and communities, there has also been a “realization” about the “dangers” AI poses to social structures.
Vaishnaw pointed out that during the recent Lok Sabha elections, AI greatly amplified the threat of misinformation and disinformation. He emphasized that this issue is a global concern affecting countries around the world.
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