The recent news of India joining the ‘Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)’, as a founding member, highlights its commitment to supporting the responsible and human-centric development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Objective of GPAI
GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative set to guide the responsible development and use of AI on the principles of human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth. The function of the initiative is to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI. It aims to support cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities, such as exploring how AI can assist societies in responding to and recovering from crisis situations like the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The Structure and Functioning of GPAI
GPAI brings together leading experts from various sectors, including industry, civil society, governments, and academia, to conduct research and pilot projects on AI. It is initially composed of four working groups focused on responsible AI, data governance, the future of work, and innovation and commercialisation. The current founding members of the partnership include nations such as Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Organisation of GPAI
GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, and two Centers of Expertise located in Montreal, Canada, and Paris, France. The partnership will benefit from OECD’s expertise on AI policy and leadership in setting out the first international standard for trustworthy AI, known as the OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, the OECD will serve as a Permanent Observer to GPAI’s governing bodies.
Origin of GPAI
The conception of GPAI was during the Canadian and French G7 Presidencies in 2018 and 2019. The partnership was officially proposed by France and Canada at the Biarritz Summit in August 2019.
Understanding Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically required human intelligence. Technologies such as machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, and self-algorithms all fall under the AI umbrella.
Role of OECD and G7
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, formed in 1961, aims to shape policies fostering prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all. It has 37 member countries, with India being one of its key partners, though not a member. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Secretariat also finds its home at the OECD headquarters in Paris, France.
Recent Initiatives by India in the Field of AI
India is actively embracing AI across various sectors including education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, and telecommunications. The nation’s National AI Strategy was launched in 2018 by NITI Aayog under the term ‘AIForAll’.
The National AI Portal, developed jointly by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), serves as a “one-stop digital platform” for all AI-related developments in India.
The Future of AI in India
By joining GPAI as a founding member, India is set to play an active role in the global development of Artificial Intelligence. As the use of AI penetrates all sectors of the economy, if used responsibly, it holds the potential to change global social and economic interactions for the better.
