Introduction

The report provides a roadmap for the state’s policymakers for the adoption of AI-based solutions in the various sectors. It recommends the Six-Dimensional TAM-DEF Framework for evaluation of AI-based systems. The building block of the framework are factors such as transparency & audit, accountability & legal issues, misuse protection, digital divide & data deficit, ethics and fairness & equity which ensures that evaluation is aligned to democratic values. Further, it recommends the use of DEEP-MAX scorecard which guides the roll-out of AI solutions.  

The report clearly outlines the goals and objectives of the policy which ranges from making AI inclusive, fair and equitable, fast and efficient to nurturing an ecosystem that gives access to open data to foster innovation. At the same point of time it highlights that the uniqueness of the AI technology in terms of discreteness, opacity and diffusiveness has made the risk management process very complicated. As a result, the government needs to lay out a well thought of and systematic public policy response to stay ahead in the technology curve.

The policy framework thus outlined shall be applicable to any authority in TN, established or constituted under any Central or State law and owned or controlled by the Government of TN. The same is applicable to cooperatives, trusts, societies, public sector undertakings and boards, whose composition and administration is controlled by the Government of TN and partnerships and joint venture companies of the government.

Relevance of the Report

The beauty of the report lies in the fact that it clearly identifies the challenges that AI implementation is met with in the public domain and the ways to handle such challenges. The DEEP-MAX scorecard which identifies seven parameters comes in handy. Based on these, the TNeGA would assist the procuring Entities/Departments in analyzing the AI Solution/System to ascertain whether they meet the scorecard. It also acknowledges the fact that such scores may become invalid after certain point of time and hence requires periodic updates. The guidelines outlined in the report regarding the procurement of any AI solution/system are very specific and exhaustive. 

Key Takeaways

1. The TN government has been pro-active in deploying AI-based solutions for the welfare of the citizens. However, at the same point of time, it has been spearheading state level AI policy that weighs the pros and cons of emerging technologies such as AI.
2. The need for a safe and ethical AI policy has been strongly advocated as the system is prone to biasedness which may unfairly affect the survival of a free human society. This has led to the designing of a scorecard based on seven parameters that touches all the necessary social aspects.
3. The laid-out policies are applicable across all authority bodies which are established under any State or Central law or is in partnership with companies of the government.
4. There is a strong need to create awareness about AI Technology and its capabilities amongst citizens and to achieve this, the government should work closely with academic institutions and training arm of Government of TN.
5. To constantly promote and encourage the use of AI, the government will help TNeGA identify AI opportunities across departments which will involve expert groups for their recommendations on design, development and deployment of AI solutions.