Sansad TV: AI- Ethical Conundrum | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly advancing technology with wide-ranging applications and societal implications. AI refers to computer systems that can perceive their environment, think, learn, and take actions based on their objectives. It encompasses various forms such as digital assistants, chatbots, and machine learning. The global AI industry is experiencing significant growth, with global funding reaching $66.8 billion in 2021.
• Governments and companies worldwide are increasingly adopting AI solutions. However, concerns have been raised by experts regarding the ethical aspects of AI development and use. Prominent figures like Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak have called for a pause in the development of powerful AI systems to address these concerns. In India, the government has initiated efforts to standardize responsible AI development and promote the adoption of best practices to address ethical concerns and potential risks associated with AI.

Techno Ethics: AI

• When it comes to technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, it is crucial to establish a foundation of ethics before envisioning a better world.
• Techno ethics recognizes the social embedding of technology and focuses on determining ethical use, preventing misuse, and establishing common principles to guide technological advancements for the benefit of society.
• In the past decade alone, AI has rapidly evolved, surpassing human capabilities in various domains, from winning game shows to decoding complex proteins. However, the rapid advancement of AI has also raised new ethical and legal questions.
• AI systems analyze data and make decisions based on their learning or training, which can pose risks to human well-being, data privacy, and the outcomes of AI-driven decisions. To mitigate these risks, organizations and policymakers are developing recommendations to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI.

Significant advancements and applications of AI:

• AI has the potential to overcome the limitations of capital and labor, creating new sources of value and driving growth.
• It enables intelligent automation, allowing for the automation of complex physical tasks in various industries.
• AI fosters innovation diffusion, propelling advancements throughout the economy.
• In industries such as heavy manufacturing and space, AI enables fully automated processes and computer-controlled systems for tasks like car manufacturing, machine tool production, and computer chip production.
• AI systems can handle dangerous tasks like managing hazardous materials or monitoring atmospheric conditions and system status in aviation.
• In the finance sector, intelligent software applications are used to screen and analyze financial data, while AI-powered predictive algorithms have shown superior performance in predicting stock market trends.
• AI plays a vital role in social development and inclusive growth by improving access to quality healthcare, overcoming location barriers, providing real-time advice to farmers to increase productivity, and contributing to the development of smart and efficient cities.
• The exponential growth of data continually fuels improvements in AI technology.
• AI finds diverse applications in healthcare, education, smart cities, environmental management, agriculture, and smart mobility.
• In India, there are notable examples of AI utilization, such as the partnership between NITI Aayog and IBM to develop Precision Agriculture using AI in Aspirational Districts, and the launch of Pai by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), an AI-based chatbot aimed at creating awareness about NPCI's products in real-time, including FASTag, RuPay, UPI, and AePS.

Insufficient emphasis on AI research and development in India

• Both the government and companies in India are predominantly concentrated on AI applications rather than investing in research and development (R&D).
• Moreover, a significant portion of the AI work being done is at the intermediate and lower levels of the spectrum.
• India does not rank among the top 10 nations in terms of AI research output.
• Experts suggest that the current race for AI dominance primarily involves the United States, China, and the European Union, with the United States holding a slight lead. India has yet to enter the race.
• The concept of techno-colonialism refers to a scenario where countries controlling a particular technology exploit other economically disadvantaged nations that rely on access to that technology.
• China, despite starting later, has made substantial investments to catch up in the AI field.
• In contrast, both the Indian government and industry have not placed a strong emphasis on research in comparison to the United States and China.
• It is crucial for India to formulate a long-term plan for AI development, similar to how it plans for other infrastructure projects.
• To achieve this, the government needs to adopt a forward-looking perspective and take proactive measures.
• Without initiating these efforts now, India will continue to rely on others rather than leading the way in technology advancements.

Way Forward

• It is crucial for all of us to take collective responsibility in promoting trustworthiness in the application of AI. Transparency in algorithms plays a vital role in establishing this trust.
• We must work towards safeguarding the world against the potential misuse of AI by non-state actors for malicious purposes.
• By leveraging the power of data and AI, India has the potential to realize its ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
• To achieve this, there is a need to extensively harness AI across various sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, financial services, healthcare, energy, and logistics, in order to build a dynamic AI-driven economy.