According to a report by PwC, a renowned global network of firms, India has observed the highest surge in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among all countries post the outbreak of the viral pandemic. A staggering 45% increase was reported, surpassing major economies like USA, UK, and Japan which reported growths of 35%, 23%, and 28% respectively.
The report suggests this extraordinary rise in AI implementation is primarily due to changes in purchasing behaviour and new business challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. For instance, contactless sales and delivery systems, made possible by AI, have seen a surge in popularity. Other AI applications, such as those designed to make the workplace safer and enforce best practices, have also witnessed an uptake.
Sectors Adopting AI Amidst Pandemic
Notably, sectors most disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak have embraced AI solutions more definitively. The travel and hospitality sector is a prime example, with 89% of firms having adopted some form of AI.
Understanding AI Technology
Artificial Intelligence refers to machines performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, and self-algorithms, among others. Essentially, AI enables machines to react to different situations based on specific data inputs, creating self-learning patterns capable of responding to questions like a human would.
AI technology plays a crucial role in analyzing data, which in turn enhances the efficiency of various systems like power management in cars, mobile devices, weather predictions, video and image analysis, and more. One prominent example of AI implementation is self-driving cars.
Government Initiatives Towards AI
Recognising the potential of AI, the Indian government has launched several initiatives such as the National AI Strategy, the National AI Portal, and has started incorporating AI across fields like education, agriculture, healthcare, and telecommunications. India recently joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as a founding member, supporting responsible and human-centric AI development.
AI in India’s Fight Against the Pandemic
India’s AI-powered response to Covid-19 at the national level included MyGov’s AI-enabled Chatbot for communications and the Indian Council of Medical Research’s Watson Assistant responding to frontline staff queries.
States like Kerala used Srishti Robotics’ ‘Nightingale-19 Robot’ to deliver essentials while Maharashtra implemented an AI-based thermal screening system ‘FebriEye’ at major terminuses in Mumbai.
AI Applications Beyond the Pandemic
Various sectors are developing AI-based solutions, notably in water management, crop insurance, and pest control. The Central Board of Secondary Education integrated AI into the school curriculum while the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched a Responsible AI for Youth programme.
India’s Future with AI
As AI works for digital inclusion in India, it could trigger economic growth and prosperity. By 2025, data and AI could contribute over USD 500 billion and nearly 20 million jobs to the Indian economy. India’s vision to build a data-rich society aligns perfectly with AI’s potential to improve society and increase business efficiency. India’s strategy of ‘AI for All’ represents its intent to leverage AI for inclusive development.