The present government of India has shared that it is “open to the idea” of bringing in a new law to regulate Artificial Intelligence, but a “consensus” is required for it.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav also shared that the Modi government believes in “democratizing technology” which was not the case during the rule of earlier political party.
Responding to a supplementary on whether the government plans to bring a law on regulating artificial intelligence, Vaishnav also said that fake narratives is a major challenge faced by societies across the world today. He said accountability has to be established in the society and the legal framework has to change for which “consensus” is required, as on the one hand there is freedom of speech and on the other, creating of a real, proper news network on the other.
“There are things which need to be debated and if the House agrees and if there is a consensus in the society, we can come up with a new law. We are open to the idea,” he said.
The minister said the government is helping set up AI data labs in tier 2 and tier three cities. He also informed the House that 8.6 lakh candidates have enrolled in the future skill platform.
Some days back, it was officially mentioned that the Government considers the next decade as ‘India Techade’.
India over the last 9 years has become a pre-eminent nation in developing technologies for the benefit and transforming the lives of its citizens. India continues to lead in AI talent and skill penetration according to recent reports.
The Stanford AI Index 2024 highlights that India tops global AI skill penetration rates and AI talent concentration. India’s AI skill penetration is rated at 2.8, surpassing the United States (2.2) and Germany (1.9)​. Additionally, India’s AI talent concentration has seen significant growth, with a 263% increase from 2016 onwards​. As per the BCG-NASSCOM report 2024, the AI market in India is witnessing robust growth, projected at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 25-35%.
‘FutureSkills PRIME’ for Re-skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower
AI may result in automating some routine jobs but will also result in job creation in various data science, data curation, etc. This will require reskilling and upskilling, for which Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated ‘Future-Skills PRIME’ a program for Re-skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower for Employability in 10 new/emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence. Under this program so far, 18.56 Lakh+ candidates have signed-up on the Future-Skills PRIME Portal, out of which, 3.37 Lakhs+ candidates have completed their course.
Centers of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence
Under the Scheme of Centers of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence implemented by MeitY in partnership with NASSCOM, Startups are supported for developing AI based tools and applications that are of use for manufacturing companies. Several such solutions have been deployed by companies in manufacturing sector.
‘YUVAI: Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI’
In addition, National e-Governance Division (NeGD), MeitY in collaboration with its partners, has implemented ‘YUVAI: Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI’- A National Program for School Students with the objective of enabling students from classes 8th to 12th with AI tech and social skills in an inclusive manner. The program will provide a platform for youth to learn and apply AI skills in 8 thematic areas- Krishi, Aarogya, Shiksha, Paryavaran, Parivahan, Grameen Vikas, Smart Cities and Vidhi aur Nyaay.
This information was then given by the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Sh. Jitin Prasada in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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