During a recent parliamentary session, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, shared India’s significant progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the Lok Sabha. He highlighted India’s achievements, government initiatives, and leadership in AI skills, projects, and policy frameworks.
India’s AI Rankings
Prasada mentioned that India has gained global recognition for its AI capabilities. Stanford University ranked India among the top four nations in the world in terms of AI vibrancy, placing it alongside the US, China, and the UK. The rankings considered 42 indicators, including AI skills and policy, with India leading in AI skill penetration and contributing significantly to global AI projects on GitHub.
Key Initiatives of the IndiaAI Mission
The IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to establish India as a global AI leader through seven strategic pillars. These pillars include initiatives such as IndiaAI Compute, Innovation Centre, Datasets Platform, Application Development Initiative, FutureSkills, Startup Financing, and Safe & Trusted AI frameworks.
National AI Ecosystem
Prasada also highlighted the launch of the National AI Portal, serving as a central repository for AI-related information, research, startups, and policies. India’s active involvement in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as a founding member and current chair has further strengthened its global AI collaborations.
Support for AI Research and Development
The government has implemented various programs to support AI research and development, such as FutureSkills PRIME for digital upskilling, the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme to increase PhDs in AI, the AIRAWAT Project for AI research, and the NIC Centres of Excellence offering AI as a Service.
Applications Across Sectors
Prasada emphasized AI’s potential to transform sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, weather forecasting, and logistics. Through strategic initiatives and international partnerships, India aims to leverage AI for societal benefits and solidify its position as a global AI leader.
In conclusion, the minister’s remarks underscored India’s commitment to building a safe, trusted, and innovative AI ecosystem. India’s progress in AI development and its efforts to harness AI technologies for the betterment of society position the country as a key player in the global AI landscape.