How to Follow Through StrAIght

Context: According to NASSCOM-McKinsey Report 2020, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can add Rs 500 billion, 45% of which is expected to be driven by the consumer retail, agriculture, banking and insurance sectors.

Challenges in implementing AI:

• Due to differential access to data and cultural diversity, quality of data is reduced while complexities are increased, and the absence of data utilization policy increases the challenges.

• Poor Execution: The implementation of personal, non-personal data policies as well as National AI strategy 2018 has been slow and not effective.
• New Education Policy 2020's success depends on its agile execution, despite the posed opportunity.
• Fragmented Ecosystem: Silos approach used by the government is a major roadblock in handling value chains utilizing data.

Steps to be taken:

• Collaborative Approach: to include industry and academia through the creation of National Task Force to address major projects such as doubling farmer's income and water management.

• Projects will be timebound and on a mission mode with clearly defined metrics for objectives.

• A structured approach to data utilization: encompassing the value chain from access to safe usage of data.
• Set up an apex body focused on holistic data governance: with a Chief Data Officer (CDO) who can work across government departments and states.
• Provisioning of access to data: in order to derive value from and create solutions in areas like healthcare, agriculture, water conservation and public safety
• Transform its STEM (Science and Technology, Engineering and Medicine) talent pool to digital talent pool.
• Democratization of AI: and easier access to tech has pivoted competitive advantage on talent availability and usability of technology. 
• For, E.g. India's start-up ecosystem is using AI to solve the most pressing Indian and global problems.

Conclusion: If we can deliver 'AI for all', in the long run, not only will India accelerate on its path to becoming an economic powerhouse, but it will also make the biggest global impact.