Rewritten Article: New Delhi (India), March 5: Union Minister Nishikant Dubey emphasized the importance of India advancing in artificial intelligence (AI), stating that the country cannot afford to pause its technological progress and must aim to become a global leader in the field. Dubey made these remarks following a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, which he chaired at the Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by officials from various ministries.
“India must move ahead in artificial intelligence. We cannot stop technology, and AI is expected to add around one trillion to our economy,” Dubey told ANI after the meeting. He forecast that in the next 7-8 years, AI will contribute significantly to India’s economic growth, creating employment for 50 to 60 lakh people.
Dubey further highlighted the necessity of evaluating AI’s impact on key sectors such as banking, taxation, customs, and excise. “We convened this meeting to assess how well-prepared our departments are to handle AI’s impact in these critical sectors,” he said.
The Union Minister expressed confidence that India will emerge as a global leader in artificial intelligence. “I firmly believe that we will emerge as a world leader in AI,” he stated. He also emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that ethical considerations around data privacy are integrated into AI training and that measures are in place to prevent AI misuse.
The meeting featured a comprehensive presentation and discussions on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Related Issues,” with participation from representatives of key ministries including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Department of Financial Services, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
In a related development, S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), had previously discussed India’s policy stance on AI on February 12. Krishnan noted that India’s approach to AI focuses on innovation and productivity, while remaining mindful of potential risks and how to mitigate them. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, India played a pivotal role in introducing AI into the G20 discussions. As part of the G20 declaration, the focus was on creating inclusive AI that promotes public interest and aligns with sustainable development goals.
Prime Minister Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron. Krishnan revealed that the next AI summit will be hosted in India later this year, with a focus on innovation-driven AI. India has supported initiatives such as the establishment of the AI Foundation and joining the coalition on sustainable AI to ensure AI’s alignment with environmental goals.
Furthermore, Krishnan mentioned that the upcoming AI Summit in India would feature significant representation from the Global South, ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in AI discussions.
Key Features:
- Nishikant Dubey stresses the importance of advancing AI to ensure India’s technological leadership and economic growth.
- AI expected to contribute over one trillion to India’s economy in the next 7-8 years, creating millions of jobs.
- Focus on ethical AI usage, data privacy, and preventing misuse through government measures.
- India’s active participation in G20 AI discussions, with plans to host the next AI summit later this year.
Key Model:
- Strategic advancement of AI to drive economic growth and technological leadership.
- Government emphasis on ethical considerations and regulation to prevent misuse.
- International collaboration and representation, particularly for the Global South, in shaping global AI policy.