At a time when the world is witnessing a rapid change in the technology space due to the development of emerging technologies, a famous quote by American historian and philosopher Thomas Kuhn, who coined the term ‘Paradigm Shift’, becomes quite relevant. Kuhn says, “The answer you get depends on the question you ask”, which is true to a great extent in the age of the internet, but technology has gone much ahead, especially in today’s context, due to fast paced innovation in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Advanced technologies like generative AI can not only give answers to questions by humans but also have the ability to generate new content and predict future outcomes based on the data these technologies are trained on. Imagine a farmer in a remote rural location in India getting real-time advice on crop health on their smartphone from an agriculture expert or a doctor diagnosing patients in a remote village with AI-powered tools. These last mile services aren't just a vision of the future—these are happening right now, all thanks to India's rapid advancements in AI.

According to PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study, the global GDP will be up to 14% higher in 2030, with AI expected to add USD 15.7 trillion to the global economy. Businesses and organisations around the world are in the process of proactive restructuring in terms of AI adoption. Stakeholders in governments, industries, academia, among others, have been increasingly investing their time and efforts towards the enhancement of AI technologies by developing multiple use cases across diverse sectors like health care, education, transportation, entertainment, agriculture and business operations.

Globally, countries like the U.S.A., the U.K., Germany, Japan and China are making aggressive investments in innovation and skill development on emerging technologies like AI and India is in no way lagging behind. As the world is now witnessing India’s leadership in promoting technology and innovation, we should capture this golden opportunity to create a conducive ecosystem for innovation and development of emerging technologies. The IndiaAI Mission launched by the Government of India is expected to create such an ecosystem in the country where AI innovation and research can thrive. However, it should be ensured that people from all walks of life participate in this journey of AI innovation and development so that the digital and technological divide in society gets reduced.

To create a scientific temper for AI among Indian youth and to encourage their participation in India’s AI journey, there should be collaboration between industry and academia in AI research. Further, it should not be left to the top technological and engineering institutions alone to take the responsibility of developing AI courses and training budding engineers. Instead, efforts should be made right from the school level to provide basic knowledge and training to students on AI and how such technologies can bring about transformation in society. While the government has taken various initiatives to encourage participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), it should also start initiatives such as scholarship programmes and research funds to support women scientists, researchers, and engineers to participate in AI innovation and R&D. Such support will help in wider talent representation in AI development, thus addressing the challenges like data bias which are associated with such technologies.

The expert group report under the IndiaAI Programme set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Indian government has highlighted several aspects of India AI pillars, including establishment of Centres of Excellence, designing AI research-based model curriculum framework for future AI skill development and establishing best-in-class AI computer infrastructure, such as AI innovation hubs. However, other government ministries and departments, especially those responsible for promoting innovation and research, skilling and education, should also proactively support and carry out initiatives to bridge the gaps in the existing AI ecosystem. For example, the Consolidation of University Research for Innovation & Excellence in Women Universities (CURE-AI) initiative under Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to bring gender parity in technological innovation, is a great step which can be extended to schools in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. Such interventions at the school level would stimulate scientific and technological temper among students and can open up young minds to explore and venture into the world of emerging technologies as they enter the higher education system.

Also, since the AI space is growing at a rapid pace, collaboration between different stakeholders becomes important. Government departments like DST can facilitate knowledge exchange programmes on AI innovation and research between different stakeholders including other government departments, industry, startups, academia and civil society. Such proactiveness and collaboration between different ministries of the government to work with a mission-centric approach along with other stakeholders will help foster innovation, R&D and talent in the Science and Technology space and ensure faster, responsible and inclusive development of AI in the country.

NITI Aayog National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence