Every time I hear the words Artificial Intelligence, the millennial in me starts imagining T100s walking the street and Skynet taking over the world. But, apart from my favourite movie reference, AI is one of the most talked about and hotly debated issues of this digital age. With all the debates on whether AI is good or bad, one thing is for certain that AI is here, and it is here to stay.
My first experience with AI was when I tried using ChatGPT. I was surprised at how advanced and sophisticated the software was. Unlike a simple Google search to get information from the internet, it is a more complex system that feels like having a conversation. Such is the level of sophistication that, involuntarily you start using pleasantries, as if you are talking to a real person (my personal Jarvis).
Now, there are several other software available in the market which make use of the AI model and provide you with a virtual assistant to help you with your daily tasks like speech writing, video editing, etc. But the use of AI does not stop there and has utility even in complex areas like agriculture, medicine, finance, law, automobile, IT and aerospace. It is our responsibility as youth to ensure that the power of AI is harnessed ethically and for the benefit of all, to prevent Jarvis from turning into Ultron.
Bharat has always been at the forefront of IT and software development. With a vast talent pool and a vibrant startup ecosystem, Bharat is poised to play a significant role in the global AI revolution. Premium institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Statistical Institute are focusing significantly on AI in their core curriculum. These institutions are not only imparting theoretical knowledge but also emphasise practical applications through collaborations with various industries.
The National Education Policy 2020 recognises the importance of AI in education and has proposed introducing AI into the school curriculum as well as assisting teachers. Schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education have started offering AI as a subject from class IX onwards, thereby preparing students for a technology-driven future. Children, at a young age, must be taught how to use AI to enhance their learning and productivity.
Bharat also has a thriving startup ecosystem which is heavily focused on the use of AI. A large number of tech-based startups are investing in AI to develop cutting-edge solutions across various sectors like health care, agriculture, logistics, finance and security. Startups like Observe.Al, which provides intelligent customer interaction solutions, Krutrim, which focuses on development of large language models, and Pixis, which provides marketing strategies for business optimisation, are some of the notable examples.
The Modi government is also leveraging the benefits of AI to enhance governance, and to ensure effective delivery of services digitally. On March 7, 2024, the cabinet approved an allocation of Rs10,300 crore for the IndiaAI Mission, with focus on setting up of AI computer infrastructure, IndiaAI innovation centre, IndiaAI datasets platform, and funding for AI-based startups. Projects such as AIRAWAT, which provides a common computing platform for AI research, and Bhashini, an AI-driven language translation platform, clearly reflect the strategic vision and commitment of the Modi government.
Echoing the words of the prime minister, the power of aspirational India plus artificial intelligence will accelerate the growth of Bharat and enable us to realise our vision of a developed India by 2047.
Bansuri Swaraj is a Lok Sabha MP from New Delhi.