On November 21, 2022, India took over the chairmanship of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI). The GPAI is a global initiative aimed at promoting responsible and people-focused AI development.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, represented India in a virtual GPAI meeting. This event marked the transition from the previous chair to India.
This change came shortly after India assumed the presidency of the G20, a group of the world’s biggest economies. The Ministry’s official statement pointed out that India’s new role as GPAI chair reflects the global view of India as a trustworthy technology partner. The statement also highlighted India’s commitment to using technology ethically for citizen welfare.
Global Partnership On Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)
- The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is a group of stakeholders working together.
- The main objective of GPAI is to connect AI theory with practical applications. This is achieved by funding top-notch AI research and applied projects.
- GPAI is grounded in the OECD Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence, showing a shared dedication to these principles.
- GPAI is all about fostering international collaboration. It achieves this by bringing together assorted experts from fields like science, industry, civil society, government, international organisations, and academia.
- The initiative aims to fill the theoretical and practical gap in AI by supporting leading-edge research and applied projects.
- GPAI serves as a platform for international collaboration on AI technology, bringing together knowledge and experience from various fields at one stage.
GPAI’s Structure And Function
- The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) operates under the guidance of the GPAI Council.
- This council is responsible for determining the strategic direction of the organisation and making all major decisions, including membership acceptance.
- The council’s work is presented and discussed at an annual event called the Multi-stakeholder Experts Group (MEG) Plenary.
- This event brings together 100-150 experts from various fields such as science, industry, civil society, trade unions, international organisations, and governments. Together, they engage in discussions about GPAI’s outcomes and future collaboration projects.
- GPAI has established two Centres of Expertise in Paris and Montreal. These centres support GPAI’s four working groups and handle the organisation of the MEG Plenary.
- The working groups concentrate on the areas of responsible AI, data governance, the future of work, and commercialisation and innovation.
Members Of GPAI?
- At present, GPAI has twenty-five member states: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union (EU).
- The founding members are: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the UK, the US, and the EU.
- The G7 countries in GPAI are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. In addition, the EU is a ‘non-enumerated member’ of the G7.
India’s Advancements In Artificial Intelligence
- AI technology has become very popular in recent years.
- By 2025, it could add between US$450-500 billion to India’s GDP.
- Over the next 10 years, it could also contribute to a US$7 trillion increase in global GDP.
- Recognising the potential of AI, India has initiated several measures to promote its growth.
- The NITI Aayog has played a key role in advancing AI in India.
- In 2018, the NITI Aayog drafted the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.
- This strategy prioritises five sectors that could greatly benefit from AI, these are healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure, and smart mobility and transportation.
- The NITI Aayog is also working on guidelines for Responsible AI.
- The National Programme on AI has been initiated by the government. This programme aims to use advanced technology to promote inclusion, inspire innovation, and enable adoption for societal impact.
- The National AI Portal is another initiative, serving as a collection hub for AI-related projects in India.
- The government also initiated the National Data Governance Framework Policy. This policy safeguards non-personal and anonymised data from both governmental and private sectors, ensuring its safe access for research and innovation.
- Recently, the government announced the start of three AI Centres of Excellence (COE).
- As part of the INDIAai initiative, the India Datasets Programme was launched, which is the country’s most extensive public accessible datasets programme.
- The private sector in India is actively involved in the growth and governance of AI.
- An example is the National Association of Software and Service Companies, which put forth its Guidelines for Generative AI in June 2023.
- The purpose of these guidelines is to encourage and oversee the responsible creation and utilisation of Generative AI.
- As of now, India takes the fifth spot globally for investment in startups that are creating AI-based products and services. This data is taken from the AI Index Report by Stanford University.
India’s Role As Chairman Of GPAI
India, being the GPAI chair, stands crucial in fostering responsible AI development and adoption worldwide. The chairmanship presents a chance for India to emerge as a global AI powerhouse. India’s focus should be targeted on key sectors for comprehensive growth.
Adapting To The AI Revolution In The Labour Market
- AI and machine learning are emerging technologies that will significantly influence developing economies.
- These technologies could revolutionise the labour market by replacing jobs, especially in less developed economies.
- India, with its vast labour force, can pioneer this transition.
- India must establish new labour laws to keep up with the changing market demands.
- Considering the potential for job losses, the development of social safety nets is vital to support those affected by job displacement or job loss by AI technologies.
Ensuring Inclusive AI Adoption Across the Globe South
- Only four nations, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Senegal, from the Global South are part of the 29 GPAI members.
- Apart from India and China, the Global South has limited representation in GPAI working groups and other AI governance forums.
- India must help bridge this gap, enabling less-developed economies to benefit from the AI technological revolution.
- India has a responsibility to protect these nations from potential “AI Colonialism”.
- The shaping of global AI governance is currently dominated by economically advanced nations.
- India aims to change this trend and has expressed its intent through its “AI for All” goal in its National Strategy for AI.
AI Governance: Ensuring Safe and Ethical Development
- The development of AI software like ChatGPT has opened up new possibilities while also highlighting potential risks.
- This technology has numerous advantages but also requires safeguards to prevent misuse.
- ChatGPT and similar applications have been exploited for cybercrimes like impersonation, data theft, and malware attacks.
- Current international agreements cover areas like space and nuclear technology, but none exist for AI and cyberspace.
- India, as the current leader of GPAI, could take the lead in creating an agreement to regulate AI technology.
- The goal is to prevent exploitation, ensure safety, and promote inclusive development of AI technology.