India Can Leverage AI To Build A Responsible Future: Here’s How

Given AI's rapid evolution, voluntary commitments provide an agile approach to governance, allowing stakeholders to adopt best practices swiftly.

To harness AI's potential while safeguarding societal well-being, India must establish robust and ethical AI governance frameworks.

Source : Alex Knight/Pexels

By Jaspreet Bindra

As India navigates the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it has a unique chance to become a major AI hub, driven by initiatives like the National AI Mission and Digital India. The country's vast talent pool, innovative startups, and supportive government policies create a fertile ground for AI adoption and development.

However, to harness AI's potential while safeguarding societal well-being, India must establish robust and ethical AI governance frameworks. This is crucial to prevent potential risks associated with biased algorithms, data misuse, and opaque decision-making.

This article argues for the creation of an industry-led and Government-driven voluntary code of conduct and ethics for AI in India, drawing inspiration from successful global models, especially the one in Japan.

This means that the voluntary code is not the only mechanism which could ensure safe and responsible AI, but it will be a good start and could form the core of other governances’ mechanisms going forward. 

Need For Voluntary Frameworks

Given AI's rapid evolution, voluntary commitments provide an agile approach to governance, allowing stakeholders to adopt best practices swiftly. These fosters trust among consumers, businesses, and governments, demonstrating a commitment to ethical AI practices.

• Voluntary frameworks can help address concerns around:
• Bias and fairness in AI decision-making
• Transparency and explainability of AI systems
• Data protection and privacy
• Accountability and liability for AI-related harm

Learning From Global Models

Japan's AI governance model emphasises public-private partnerships and voluntary guidelines and offers valuable lessons for India. Their "soft law" approach prioritises non-binding guidelines and principles to encourage responsible AI development.

The Japanese government has established the "AI Utilization Strategy" and the "AI Technology Strategy," which provide a comprehensive framework for AI development and deployment. These strategies emphasise the importance of human-centred AI, transparency, and accountability.

Singapore's National AI Strategy and Model AI Governance frameworks provide another compelling model, focusing on leveraging AI for economic growth and societal improvement. Singapore's approach emphasises the need for a balanced regulatory framework that promotes innovation while ensuring safety and accountability.

Contextualising For India

Adapting these models to the Indian context requires consideration of the country's unique cultural and societal context. India should:

• Identify key sectors where AI has transformative potential, such as agriculture, healthcare, and education
• Develop AI applications that cater to the needs of diverse populations, including rural and underserved communities
• Establish robust data protection and privacy frameworks to safeguard citizens' personal data
• Foster collaboration between government, industry, academia, and civil society to promote responsible AI development and deployment

The code of conduct should explicitly address potential biases, incorporate principles of fairness and equity, and prioritise transparency and explainability. This will help build trust among stakeholders and ensure that AI benefits all sections of society.

Moving Towards A Responsible AI Future

By creating a voluntary code of conduct and ethical framework for AI, India can position itself as a leader in ethical and responsible AI development. This requires:

• Collaboration and coordination among stakeholders
• Inclusivity and diversity in AI development and deployment
• Prioritising human well-being and safety
• Encouraging transparency, accountability, and explainability in AI decision-making

By learning from global best practices and contextualising them for India's socio-cultural uniqueness, India can take a leadership position in responsible AI development for the Global South. This will not only drive economic growth and innovation but also ensure that AI benefits all sections of society, promoting a more equitable and just future.

(The author is the Co-Founder & CEO of AI&Beyond)

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