Artificial Intelligence (AI) institution

The NITI Aayog has drawn up a plan for creating an institutional framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in the country. 

It has circulated a cabinet note to provide Rs 7,500 crore in funding for creation of cloud computing platform called AIRAWAT and research institutes. 

The government will pump in Rs 7,500 crore initially over a three-year period and set up a high-level taskforce to oversee roll-out and implementation of AI. 

What will be done?

The proposal entails investing in funding five institutes or centres of research excellence (CORE), 20 international centres for transformational AI (ICTAI) and setting up a cloud computing platform called AIRAWAT that can be accessed by anyone.

The entire AI mission will be monitored by a task force, to be headed by a member of NITI Aayog with representation from all ministries and states?

Why it is being done?

• It aims to give a push to adoption of AI, it is pertinent to have an AI check in all new projects to identify specific areas where AI can be used.
• The government aims to position India as a trailblazer for emerging economies when it comes to AI and is confident that the technology can help address some of the key challenges in social sectors such as education, health, agriculture, urbanisation and mobility.
• It is estimated that AI has the potential to add $957 billion to India’s GDP by 2035 and boost India’s annual growth by 1.3 percentage points by 2035.
• In the Union budget for 2018-19, the government had entrusted NITI Aayog with developing the national programme on AI, following which the Aayog had in June last year released the national strategy for AI.

What is China doing in this regard?

China has committed to build a domestic AI industry worth nearly $150 billion in the next few years, with an aim to become the leading AI power by 2030.