10 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Keeping a watch on the growing arc of violence

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Unstable World Order

• The post-1945 world order has broken down, with institutions like the United Nations Security Council and the International Court of Justice failing to prevent conflicts.
• The prolonged war in Ukraine and attacks in West Asia highlight the powerlessness of global institutions in maintaining peace.

Ongoing Conflicts in West Asia

• The war in Gaza and Lebanon has given a false impression of peace in the region.
• There is a belief that the influence of certain regional powers has weakened, but the long-term effects of these conflicts remain uncertain.
• Underground activities are increasing, which may lead to further instability rather than lasting peace.

Resurgence of Islamist Terrorism

• Terrorism has not been eliminated; it is evolving and remains a major global concern.
• Radicalization is spreading online, making terrorist groups more decentralized and harder to track.
• Islamist terrorism has adapted to digital platforms, using social media and artificial intelligence to spread extremist ideologies.

Historical Evolution of Islamist Terrorism

• Since 1979, two main branches of Islamist militancy have developed: a Sunni version and a Shia variant.
• Sunni radicalization led to the formation of major terror groups, with global jihad as their focus.
• Over the years, their strategies have changed, with some groups focusing on regional conflicts while others operate globally.
• While global jihad has lost momentum, radicalization remains a concern, influencing the political landscape of West Asia and beyond.

Terrorism’s New Phase

• Some major terrorist organizations are showing signs of resurgence.
• Training camps have resumed in regions controlled by extremist groups.
• Attacks are spreading to new regions, including sporadic incidents in different countries.
• The return of terrorism does not mean large-scale attacks are imminent, but smaller, frequent attacks are raising security concerns.

Recent Incidents and Security Threats

• Recent attacks in different countries indicate that terrorist groups are expanding their reach.
• There is concern over the recruitment of new individuals into terror networks, including those with military backgrounds.
• Security agencies have detected multiple threats, highlighting the urgent need for stronger counter-terrorism measures.

Future Preparedness

• Counter-terrorism experts warn that terror groups are using modern technology, including artificial intelligence, to recruit and plan attacks.
• While large-scale attacks have not occurred recently, the warning signs should not be ignored.
• Governments and security agencies must act early to prevent a new wave of terrorist activities.

Conclusion

• The world is becoming more unstable with ongoing conflicts and terrorism.
• International organizations are unable to stop these threats.
• Strong global teamwork and better strategies are needed to handle modern terrorism.

2. India’s opportunity at the AI Action Summit

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

India’s Participation in the AI Action Summit

• The Paris summit will discuss AI safety, innovation, public interest AI, future of work, and AI governance.
• India will use this platform to highlight the priorities of developing nations and strengthen its global role in AI discussions.

India’s Advocacy for the Global South

• The first summit in the U.K. focused on risks of advanced AI models and led to the establishment of the AI Safety Institute.
• The second summit in South Korea expanded discussions on international cooperation in AI safety and risk management.
• India has been actively engaging in these discussions and has announced plans to establish its own AI Safety Institute.
• In other international platforms, India has pushed for AI policies that benefit developing countries, particularly under its G20 presidency in 2023.
• The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) meeting in 2023, hosted by India, emphasized equal access to AI research and infrastructure.

Key Priorities for India at the Paris Summit: India should focus on three key strategic areas to benefit developing nations:

1. Equal Access to AI Resources
   • AI resources should be made available to all nations, including data storage, cloud computing, foundation models, and development platforms.
   • India has launched an initiative to provide access to computing power, with over 18,600 GPUs and government subsidies covering 40% of costs.
   • Distributed computing solutions and new AI safety tools like watermarking should be promoted.
   • Open-source AI models should be encouraged, as they can support innovation in developing nations.
   • India must push for easier cross-border AI technology sharing while maintaining security standards.
2. Developing AI for Local Needs
   • AI applications should address the specific challenges of developing countries, rather than being generic solutions.
   • AI can help in early disease detection, education, and agriculture by adapting to local needs.
   • A global repository of AI applications should be created to help developing countries prioritize AI-based solutions.
3. Addressing AI Risks for the Global South
   • AI risks in developing nations are different from those in developed countries.
   • One major concern is cultural erosion due to AI models trained on Western data.
   • AI safety should be based on real-world evidence from developing countries, not just theoretical risks.
   • A database of AI-related harms in developing nations should be created to guide future policies and regulations.

India’s Future Role in AI Governance

• As co-chair of the Paris summit, India has a chance to push for AI policies that benefit developing nations.
• Hosting the next AI Action Summit would further establish India’s leadership in AI governance.
• India can act as a bridge between developed and developing nations in shaping the global AI landscape.