‘Global consensus must to face challenges in using AI for governance’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS2 –  International Relations

Context

● The AI Summit 2024 highlighted the critical role of Artificial Intelligence in governance, addressing challenges like copyright, data protection, and ethical concerns. ● Experts discussed AI applications in healthcare and wildlife conservation, stressing the need for robust infrastructure and data localisation. ● India aims to transition from an AI consumer to a global innovator.

 Global Consensus on AI Regulations

• At the AI Summit 2024 panellists emphasised the need for a global consensus on regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address challenges such as copyright issues, data protection, and cyber vulnerabilities.
• Expanding AI’s application into newer areas of governance was a recurring theme during the discussions.

AI in Governance: Health Sector Applications

• AI has been effectively implemented in diagnosing tuberculosis, improving detection rates twofold compared to traditional methods.
• AI tools in mobile X-ray vans screened over 56,000 people, showcasing the technology’s precision in healthcare diagnostics.
• Potential applications include screening for refractive eye errors in children and detecting pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

AI for Wildlife Conservation

• AI solutions are being used to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks in forested regions, mitigating human-wildlife conflict effectively.
• These initiatives highlight AI’s versatility in addressing complex challenges across diverse sectors.

Infrastructure and Contextual Safeguards

• The success of AI in governance depends on building robust digital infrastructure.
• Experts stressed the importance of creating AI models tailored to India’s unique cultural and regional diversity, including language, cuisine, and literature.
• A proposed AI safety institute by the Union government aims to ensure secure and ethical AI deployment.

Risks and Ethical Concerns

• AI presents challenges like bias, fairness, and risks exacerbated by generative AI, including issues of copyright, data protection, and cyber vulnerabilities.
• Safeguards are necessary to prevent misuse and to protect sensitive data, ensuring data localisation to avoid dependency on foreign entities.

India’s Role in Global AI Development

• India is positioned as a potential global leader in AI technologies alongside the U.S. and China.
• India should transition from being a consumer of AI to becoming a generator of AI technologies.
• Digitisation in governance is yielding efficiency gains, but data localisation and ethical frameworks are critical to achieving sustainable progress.

Way Forward

• AI should be deployed selectively, ensuring it addresses governance challenges effectively.
• Global collaboration and regulatory frameworks are essential for addressing emerging challenges while capitalising on AI’s transformative potential.

PYQ: Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2023)

Practice Question:  Discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in governance, highlighting its applications, challenges, and ethical considerations. How can India leverage its potential to become a global leader in AI technologies? (250 Words /15 marks)