The ability of machines with artificial intelligence capabilities to use pre-existing text, audio files or images to create new content is known as generative AI. The application of generative AI is still in its infancy, and as the technology develops and advances, its influence is likely to increase. The creation of these technologies and their rapid diffusion in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, finance and others are recognized by the government.
The government sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a vital enabler for the expansion of our digital economy, as well as for investment and job opportunities. Prime Minister Modi was quoted as saying: “Any society that does not innovate, stagnates.” According to Goyal, artificial intelligence would really serve as the engine for India’s progress.
He claimed that the “Made in India” initiative combined with artificial intelligence technology would make India the global manufacturer of technology and equipment. He stated that the wealth of skills in the nation will certainly help in exploring innovative applications for AI in all spheres of economic activity.
The national artificial intelligence plan prepared by NITI Aayog for India has outlined the best course of action for using artificial intelligence (AI) in a variety of contexts. India benefits from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods and initiatives to meet societal demands in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities and infrastructure including smart mobility and transportation using such dynamic data. By the beginning of the 21st century, electronics were found in virtually all goods produced.
Today, data collection, processing, and computing power have made amazing advances. Today, intelligent systems can be used for a number of decisions and tasks to improve productivity and provide greater connectivity. This article examines the growth of AI, its range of applications globally, and its progress in India.
AI evolution
1950 neonate: Cultivating the idea of AI
1970s baby: AI Brainstorming Stage
80’s reign: Financing and generation of algorithms
2000s beta stage: Availability of computing hardware to install algorithm
Full bloom of the 2010s: Intensive use cases (IoT, VR, AR, Big Data)
India’s ecosystem for AI intelligence and research
India ranks 10th in the world for research and has 386 of the world’s 22,000 PhD researchers.
In the world, India ranked 13th with 44 excellent presentations at major AI conferences.
Framework to promote artificial intelligence research in India
The Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (IM-ICPS) have suggested the following four-tier framework to promote AI research
a) ICON (International Centers for New Knowledge)
b) CROSS (Subsystems Research Center)
c) CASTLE (Center for Advanced Study, Translational Research and Leadership): focused on the development and deployment of application-based research
d) CETIT (Center of Excellence in Innovation and Technology Transfer)
AI research in India
An integrated two-tier strategy is suggested to advance fundamental and practical AI research.
1. CORE (Artificial Intelligence Research Centers of Excellence): According to the IM-ICPS framework, COREs will execute the functions of ICON and CROSS focusing on core AI research.
2. ICTAI (International Center for Transformational Artificial Intelligence): According to the IM-ICPS framework, the ICTAIs will execute the functions of CASTLE and CETIT by providing the ecosystem for the development and deployment of application-based technology.
AI Opportunities in India
AI has the potential to stimulate the growth rate by facilitating
(a) Intelligent Automation, or the ability to automate complex processes in the physical world that require flexibility and agility across the industry,
(b) Increased labor and capital: Enhance human capabilities, improve capital efficiency, and allow humans to focus on roles that offer the most value.
(c) Promote the diffusion of innovation, or promote innovations as they spread throughout the economy.
Government initiatives
The Indian government has taken several steps to promote upgrading or upgrading skills in the field of artificial intelligence, including the following:
Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has started a program entitled FutureSkills PRIME (www.futureskillsprime.in) in collaboration with NASSCOM, a B2C framework to reskill/upskill IT professionals in 10 emerging areas, including artificial intelligence. So far, 7 lakh candidates have registered on the FutureSkills PRIME portal, out of which, 1.2 lakh candidates have completed their courses.
In addition, 524 trainers and 4,292 government officials have been trained on these technologies by NIELIT/C-DAC resource centers, and around 1.3 lakh unique learners have collectively earned 8.9 lakh “badges” in recognition of having completed reduced-size digital fluency content. Under Artificial Intelligence, 36,528 candidates are enrolled in deep skills courses and 47,744 candidates are enrolled in Foundation courses.
The government published the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in June 2018 and proposes to develop an ecosystem for the research and adoption of Artificial Intelligence, that is, #AIPARATODOS.
The government has launched the ‘National AI Portal’ (https://indiaai.gov.in/) which is a repository of initiatives based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country in one place. To date, there are 1024 national and international articles, 655 news, 200 videos, 90 research reports, 279 Startups, 120 government initiatives listed on the National AI Portal.
In addition, several measures have been taken to promote the development of capacities in Artificial Intelligence, which include the following
The government has initiated the ‘Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme’ with the aim of increasing the number of PhDs in the Electronic Systems Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sectors in the country. Research areas under the scheme include Artificial Intelligence (covering 82 PhD fellows) and Machine Learning (covering 59 PhD fellows).
National Program on the Responsible Use of AI for Youth: With the aim of empowering youth to be AI-ready and helping to reduce the skills gap, the government together with industry partners have started this initiative to promote AI awareness among children going to government school.
In Phase I, 50,666 students and 2,536 teachers from 2,252 schools in 35 states and UT attended AI orientation sessions. In Phase II, 100 teams have been shortlisted and received extensive mentoring from AI experts. In Phase III, the top 20 students have demonstrated their solutions at the national conference.
