“From the code to the conscience, from bytes to benevolence, India’s deep involvement in AI can transcend technology; it is about shaping a future where innovation serves humanity, and compassion drives progress.”
Slow-cooked over 70 years, today’s artificial intelligence serves a potent societal recipe. It evokes immense possibilities to steer humanity toward betterment while also raising concerns about potential destruction. AI can be a transformative force, promising to reshape economies, societies, and the very fabric of human existence. What would entail such positivity?
The guiding principle is the ability to think of artificial intelligence as a global good, not just for a few. That is why we believe India stands poised to lead the charge for inclusive and equitable AI democratisation.
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India and AI
With its large young demographic and strong STEM ecosystem, India is at a pivotal juncture in the global artificial intelligence landscape. Despite significant progress in recent years, there is a pressing need for India to do more in the field of artificial intelligence. With over 65% of its population under the age of 35, India possesses a vast pool of talent and potential innovators who can drive AI research, development, and implementation forward.
However, to fully harness this demographic dividend, India must invest further in artificial intelligence education, skills training, and infrastructure. Additionally, India’s growing STEM ecosystem, with enhanced efforts to expand its network of premier institutions, research labs, and startups, will provide fertile ground for AI innovation.
Moreover, with the rise of emerging technologies such as machine learning, robotics, and data analytics, India has a unique opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence to address pressing societal challenges—from healthcare and education to finance and public administration, to agriculture and governance. Therefore, it is urgent for India to ramp up its efforts in artificial intelligence to unlock its full potential and emerge as a global leader in the AI revolution.
One generally overlooked issue is the dominance of Western datasets and biases, which pose a significant threat to the development of artificial intelligence on a global scale. As artificial intelligence systems rely heavily on data for training and decision-making, the use of biased datasets can perpetuate and even exacerbate existing social, cultural, and economic biases. This not only undermines the accuracy and fairness of artificial intelligence algorithms but also reinforces a narrow worldview that prioritises Western perspectives at the expense of diverse voices and experiences.
The perpetuation of biases inherent in Western datasets can manifest in various forms, including racial, gender, socio-economic, and cultural biases. For example, biased datasets may reflect historical inequalities and discriminatory practices, leading to artificial intelligence systems that replicate and perpetuate these biases in their outputs.
Furthermore, the dominance of Western datasets risks homogenising the narrative around artificial intelligence development, shaping it according to Western perspectives and priorities. This not only marginalises non-Western voices and experiences but also limits the diversity of perspectives and solutions in the AI ecosystem. As AI increasingly becomes a driving force in shaping society and the economy, it is essential to ensure that it reflects the needs, values, and aspirations of people from all backgrounds and regions.
By privileging Western perspectives and datasets, there is a risk of perpetuating a digital divide that marginalises regions and communities with limited access to technology and data resources. This not only hinders their participation in the AI revolution but also reinforces existing power dynamics that favor Western nations and corporations.
To address these concerns, it is important to promote diversity, inclusivity, and representation in artificial intelligence development. This includes diversifying datasets to reflect the full spectrum of human experiences, perspectives, and identities. It also involves prioritising the voices and needs of marginalised communities and regions in AI research, policymaking, and deployment. Additionally, there is a need for greater transparency and accountability in AI algorithms to mitigate biases and ensure fairness and equity in their outcomes.
India, with its rich historical legacy of intellectual contributions and a deep-rooted commitment to universal good, is uniquely positioned to steer the global conversation on artificial intelligence governance. It becomes evident that India’s leadership is not just advantageous but urgent for ensuring a future where artificial intelligence benefits are shared widely and equitably.
Alas, it often takes validation from the Western world for us Indians to recognise the inherent value of our own heritage. Just as it took Western scholars to recognise the power of Sanskrit as a language for computing, we must not overlook the profound wisdom and insights embedded within our own traditions until they are acknowledged elsewhere.
The rich pool of wisdom and knowledge embedded within Indic scriptures presents a vast treasure trove of insights that hold profound relevance for artificial intelligence development in India. Spanning millennia, these scriptures encompass a diverse array of disciplines—from philosophy and mathematics to astronomy and linguistics—offering timeless wisdom and innovative methodologies that can enrich contemporary AI research and application.
India can develop novel approaches and perspectives that complement modern artificial intelligence techniques, fostering innovation and advancing the frontier of artificial intelligence capabilities. Moreover, harnessing the insights from Indic scriptures can contribute to the development of artificial intelligence systems that are more aligned with India’s cultural values, ethical principles, and societal aspirations, fostering a more inclusive and human-centric approach to AI development.
From software to semantics, from data to datasets to databases, and from algorithms to altruism, India possesses the breadth and depth of expertise to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence on a global scale. With a growing emphasis on digital governance and the recognition of AI as a global good, India has the opportunity to lead the charge towards making AI a truly inclusive and beneficial force for humanity. Now is the time for India to harness its potential and seize the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the global AI landscape.
Srinath Sridharan is a strategic counsel with 25 years experience with leading corporates across diverse sectors including automobiles, e-commerce, advertising and financial services. He understands and ideates on intersection of finance, digital, contextual-finance, consumer, mobility, Urban transformation, and ESG. Actively engaged across growth policy conversations and public policy issues.
Shailesh Haribhakti is a Chartered and Cost Accountant, an internal auditor and a certified financial planner. He is a board chairman, audit committee chair and independent director at some of the country's most preeminent organisations. He is a thought leader on the Indian economy and public policy.