Exploring India's National Strategy On Artificial Intelligence, Its 'AI for All' Mantra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the outreach session of the G7 summit hosted by Italy. On accepting the invite from his Italian counterpart PM Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi during his speech at the G7 summit on the importance of AI, emphasized on a "Human-Centric" approach towards AI which has been the basis of the AI-Mission with its mantra being "AI for All". He stressed on how monopoly in technology must be made into totality.

He stated, "Together, we must ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society, help eliminate social inequalities, and expand human strengths instead of limiting them".

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During the G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, he highlighted the four principles of availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability that guide India's approach towards energy in order to achieve 'Net Zero' emissions by 2070.

India is one of the first few countries which framed a national strategy for AI through NITI Aayog adopting a three-pronged approach.

a) Opportunity: The economic impact of AI for India

b) AI for Greater Good: Social development and inclusive growth

c) AI Garage for 40% of the world: Solution provider of choice for the emerging and developing economies across the globe

The approach emphasises how India can utilise transformative technologies to promote social and inclusive growth, aligning with the government's development philosophy.

AI for Inclusivity and Growth promotes inclusivity and growth and is imperative of ensuring accessibility to society by addressing prevalent social inequalities. This is reflected through strategic deployment of AI across an array of diverse sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture and development of smart cities and infrastructure

Prime Minister Modi during the G7 Summit advocated and emphasized the prioritizing of the challenges and concerns faced by the Global South, particularly Africa. In 2023 the Prime Minister announced initiatives, one being the Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository and a Social Impact Fund. These initiatives were formulated to empower Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) through digital infrastructure and promote collaboration on socioeconomic development projects.

Ethical considerations and cybersecurity shall always be a fitting challenge. It is essential to focus on ensuring ethical integration of AI technology by keeping in mind transparency, accountability and mitigation of biased practices by creating an efficient framework.

India is committed to global collaboration and aligning India's regulatory standards with global norms would ensure global competitiveness and compliance with the international standards of human rights with its AI technology therefore meeting global benchmarks and enabling cohesive integration of AI into the global economy.

Reports by Accenture provide a framework that estimates a boost India's annual growth rate by 1.3% points by 2035 due to AI. This was based on the economic impact of AI for select G20 countries.

The Prime Minister stressed that with a broader objective, technology should be directed towards fostering well being for society thus, India being a founding member of Global Partnership for AI shall make way for international collaboration.