India AI Mission approved by Cabinet

Context

The Union Cabinet was apprised of the India AI mission and gave its approval with a total cost of Rs 10,371.92 crore spread over 5 years for strengthening the AI ecosystem in the country.

About India AI Mission

• The India AI Mission has been set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to create a growth ecosystem of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.
• The mission will be implemented by the IndiaAI Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation.
• It includes deploying an AI computing infrastructure, an AI marketplace, and an innovation centre. Another three main components mainly focus on offering access to datasets, encouragement in developing AI apps, offering AI courses to the talent of the country, and providing financial support to AI startups, and secure and safe AI.
• The mission aims to nurture India’s AI innovation ecosystem through a public-private partnership model.

Key Aspects regarding to approval of India India AI Mission by Cabinet

Financial Outlay

• The serious budget of Rs 10,371.92 crores over 5 years has been earmarked for sure. Certainly, these leaps and bounds talk about the financial commitment that shall go a long way in realising the serious intent of giving a fillip to development of a vibrant AI ecosystem in the country.

Objective of the Mission

• The main objective underlying the India AI Mission is to raise India among the leading countries throughout the world in the domain of Artificial Intelligence, both in development and use. This can be interpreted, basically, from technology-driven opportunities but also to face social issues with respect to AI-based solutions.

Focus Areas

• Other major areas of focus under this mission would include research and innovation, development of AI infrastructure, skill development, and talent nurturing. “Mission” is expected to drive AI advancement in sync with the country’s economic and social needs.

Benefits for Private Sector

• The fact that the mission has been approved now is really a big shot in the arm for the private players of the tech industry. It opens avenues for much greater collaboration, partnerships, and even further funding opportunities for any startup or established company within this space.

Impact on Employment and Skills

• The outcome of new employment opportunities and the demand for AI-related skills result. The focus on education and training is an indicator of future preparedness in the work environment, which will be driven by AI.

Government’s Role

• The government’s role in this mission is more than funding; it includes building conductive policies, ethical practices in AI, and bridging gaps among the various stakeholders in the AI ecosystem.

Global Positioning

• This is expected to skyrocket India to the top among leading nations in AI innovation and application. It is, therefore, strategic thrust meant to boost India’s technological capability and construed by these as serious competitors globally.

Implementation Strategy

• In other simplistic words, this is an actual implementation strategy of the India AI Mission. Will be elaborate and all-encompassing, including collaborations at the level of ministries, besides departments, it shall include academic institutions and the private sector.

Conclusion 

The India AI Mission, as approved by the Cabinet, will be one of the flagship initiatives to promote the development and application of AI in the country—from a sectoral need to an inclusive viewpoint. “Bound to be a game-changer” was an attempt in the AI landscape of the country—an economy given importance in the budget outlay and an approach that offers the mission.

Source: News18

UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Q.Discuss about the India AI Mission and what recent decision was made by the Indian Cabinet regarding artificial intelligence (AI), and what are its objectives?

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