Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Wednesday emphasised the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during his address at the 7th Edition of the ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024 as he highlighted AI’s pivotal role in reshaping critical sectors like governance, business, healthcare, education, and space exploration, underscoring its potential to spur economic growth, address challenges like climate change, and enhance public service delivery and national security.
The event, themed “AI for India: Advancing India’s AI Development – Innovation, Ethics, and Governance,” showcased India’s roadmap for leveraging AI to drive innovation while ensuring ethical governance.
The Minister also announced India’s first AI Data Bank, designed to accelerate technological growth by providing researchers, startups, and developers with access to diverse, high-quality datasets needed to create scalable, inclusive AI solutions. The AI Data Bank will also strengthen national security through real-time analytics of satellite, drone, and IoT data, aiding in disaster management and cybersecurity.
India’s National AI Strategy, as outlined by the Minister, focuses on fostering innovation, ethical AI governance, and global collaboration. The government is encouraging partnerships between academia, private enterprises, and startups to advance AI applications in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities.
Archana Vohra, MD of Commerce & Payments at Google and Co-Chair of the ASSOCHAM AI Task Force, praised the government’s collaborative approach to AI democratization, noting initiatives like the India AI Mission, Project Bhashini, and the Startup India Seed Fund. These programs, she said, empower startups, foster entrepreneurship, and break down language barriers, with public-private partnerships being crucial for accelerating research and innovation.
Manish Prasad, Chair of the ASSOCHAM IT/ITeS Council, spoke on AI’s role in reshaping global business and societal dynamics, echoing the Prime Minister’s vision of “AI for All” and its potential to enhance human lives and promote social welfare. Deepak Sood, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, highlighted India’s growing prominence in the global technology landscape. Highlighting the nation’s current position as the 5th largest, he noted India’s vision to become the 3rd largest economy. Sood stressed that leveraging technologies will be instrumental in achieiving this goal by driving innovation and fostering pathways to sustained economic growth and development.
The event provided a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the responsible adoption of AI and its implications for India’s future development.
