Welcome Initiative on AI

Context: Recently, India hosted a global Artificial Intelligence(AI) summit where Prime Minister cautioned against the weaponization of AI by the non-State actors and hailed for transparency in the algorithm.

Challenges with the regulation of Artificial Intelligence: 

• Security Challenges: AI will fast become not just a major component of economic competitiveness but also a force multiplier in a strategic capacity.

• Applications of AI: Use case of Artificial Intelligence and way the application is put to use poses challenges.

• Implications on data subjects: The use of data for training and kind of algorithm used for Artificial Intelligence has implications on data subjects whose data is utilized.

• In the US, Artificial Intelligence behind facial recognition has been alleged with having incorporated racial bias. 
• Impact of China in global efforts: While the PM has warned against weaponization of AI by the non-State actors, the future is negatively impacted by the exclusion of China as a part of these efforts. 
• E.g. The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence excludes China, whose labs and companies operate at the cutting edge of AI. 

Way Ahead:

• Robust data protection: First thing India needs to do is to put in place a robust data protection framework since data is like oxygen for Artificial Intelligence. 

• Foundational Principles: There have to be some principles to be incorporated into the creation of AI:
• Transparency and Explainability: If someone adversely affected by AI decisions wants to challenge a decision, the AI in use must be able to explain how and why it reached the conclusion it did.
• Traceability: of the data sets used for creating or training the algorithms involved is essential to ensure robustness, safety and security. 
•  AI actors must be accountable for the proper functioning of AI to ensure accountability.

• Regulatory Mechanism: Regulation of AI and of algorithms must emerge as a robust and active field of study and practice in India.
• The G20 grouping of the world’s 20 largest economies has adopted guidelines and principles for the control and regulation of AI.