Context & The Gist
The Delhi AI Impact Summit is significant as the first such conclave hosted in the Global South. This comes at a time when AI is rapidly permeating all aspects of human life, and the Global South has historically been underrepresented in the development and governance of this technology. The article argues that the summit presents a crucial opportunity for countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to correct the existing AI skew, ensuring that innovation is inclusive and addresses their specific developmental needs, while also considering national security implications.
The central thesis is that the Global South must actively participate in shaping the future of AI, moving beyond being merely consumers of technology developed in advanced economies. This requires leveraging existing digital infrastructure and fostering a collaborative approach to AI development.
Key Arguments & Nuances
- Historical Imbalance: The Global South has been largely excluded from the norm-setting processes in AI development, leading to a system biased towards the languages, insights, and datasets of advanced economies.
- Developmental Imperative: Correcting this skew is not just a technical issue but is deeply connected to the developmental concerns of the Global South. AI must address the specific needs of these regions.
- India’s DPI Model: India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) offers a persuasive framework for an alternative AI pathway, focusing on inclusion and affordability. Building AI layers atop existing DPI systems can optimize service delivery.
- Geopolitical Considerations: In a volatile geopolitical landscape, ensuring equity in AI development is also tied to national security concerns.
- Balancing Act: While charting its own course, the Global South cannot afford to disengage from advanced economies. Government needs to be an enabler of experimentation and collaboration, not a controller.
- Global Concerns: Issues of privacy, security, and fairness are central to AI development and require global conversations.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance
- GS Paper II: Governance – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services including Health, Education, and AI's role in service delivery.
- GS Paper III: Science and Technology – Developments and their applications in various sectors; awareness in biotechnology, nanotechnology, AI.
- GS Paper III: Economy – Growth, development and employment; Infrastructure: Digital Infrastructure and its impact.
Prelims Data Bank
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): A shared, scalable, and interoperable digital infrastructure that enables the delivery of public services. Examples include Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker.
- Bhashini: India’s National Language Translation Mission, an AI-powered initiative to address language accessibility in government service delivery.
- AI Patent Ownership: As of the article, approximately 90% of AI patents originate in the US, Europe, and China.
- IMF Projections (related to investment): McKinsey estimates $5.2 trillion in data center capital expenditure by 2030.
Mains Critical Analysis
The article highlights a critical juncture in the evolution of AI – the need for inclusivity and equitable participation from the Global South. This can be analyzed using a PESTLE framework:
- Political: The Delhi Summit represents a political opportunity for the Global South to assert its agency in AI governance and challenge the dominance of advanced economies.
- Economic: Democratizing AI development can unlock economic opportunities for the Global South, fostering innovation and creating new industries.
- Social: Inclusive AI can address social challenges specific to these regions, such as language barriers and access to essential services.
- Technological: Leveraging DPI and building AI layers atop existing infrastructure offers a cost-effective and scalable approach to AI adoption.
- Legal: Establishing clear legal frameworks for data privacy, security, and fairness is crucial for responsible AI development.
- Environmental: The environmental impact of large-scale AI infrastructure (data centers) needs to be considered.
A key challenge lies in balancing the need for collaboration with advanced economies with the desire for self-reliance. The article rightly points out the need for the government to act as an enabler, fostering experimentation and innovation while addressing concerns about privacy and security. A critical gap is the lack of a comprehensive consumer safety regime, particularly concerning the psychological harms of AI, as highlighted in related articles.
Value Addition
- Committee on AI: In December 2023, the Indian government constituted a committee chaired by S. Gopalakrishnan to explore the potential of AI and recommend strategies for its responsible development.
- SC Judgement on Data Privacy: The Supreme Court of India, in the K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case (2017), affirmed the right to privacy as a fundamental right, which has implications for AI data governance.
- OECD AI Principles: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has established principles for responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI, emphasizing human-centered values and fairness.
Context & Linkages
AI models are being rolled out, guardrails and hygiene norms must follow
This past article underscores the immediate concerns surrounding the deployment of AI models, particularly regarding data security and potential misuse. It complements the current article by highlighting the need for robust guardrails and hygiene norms as the Global South seeks to democratize AI development. The concerns raised about data uploaded to AI models are directly relevant to the responsible governance framework advocated in the current article.
Model conduct: On India, AI use
This article details India’s current regulatory approach to AI, relying on existing legislation like the IT Act and sector-specific regulations. It highlights a gap in consumer safety, particularly regarding psychological harms. This context is crucial for understanding the challenges India faces in fostering responsible AI development, as discussed in the current article. The focus on incident reporting rather than emotional monitoring reflects a nuanced approach to AI governance.
Google’s $15 billion AI investment in Andhra Pradesh: A boost, a beginning
This article demonstrates the increasing global investment in AI infrastructure, exemplified by Google’s significant investment in India. It provides a concrete example of the economic opportunities that AI presents for the Global South, while also highlighting the need for adequate infrastructure and skilled workforce to capitalize on these investments. This investment reinforces the need for the Global South to actively participate in shaping the AI landscape.
The Way Forward
- Capacity Building: Invest in upskilling the workforce in AI-related fields to foster innovation and reduce dependence on advanced economies.
- DPI Expansion: Expand and strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure to provide a robust foundation for AI applications.
- International Collaboration: Engage in collaborative partnerships with advanced economies to share knowledge and best practices, while advocating for equitable AI governance.
- Regulatory Framework: Develop a comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses data privacy, security, fairness, and consumer protection.
- Promote Indigenous Innovation: Encourage and support the development of indigenous AI solutions tailored to the specific needs of the Global South.