Central task force on AI recommends setting up of N-AIM
A central task force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has suggested creating a National Artificial Intelligence Mission (N-AIM) that will serve as a nodal agency for coordinating AI related activities in the country. The report of the task force set up in August last, said, "AI should be seen as a scalable problem solver in India rather than only as a booster of economic growth."
Artificial Intelligence is the science of making intelligent machines: Report
Professor V Kamakoti, Chairman of the task force and Madras IIT Professor, said the report was a "practical" one and that "all our recommendations have been very pointed and it has been seen to it that they are very much implementable in a short time." According to the report, Artificial Intelligence "is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programmes."
10 domains in India identified for implementation of AI
The task force, whose members include those from government and the private sector, besides the academia, has identified 10 domains in India, including Manufacturing, FinTech, Agriculture/Food Processing and Education for implementation of AI. Professor Kamakoti further said that the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in labor intensive sectors such as agriculture will not take away jobs, but enhance productivity.
Task force recommends government to fund N-AIM setup
The report has made a set of recommendations to the Government of India, which includes setting up of N-AIM with a budgetary allocation of Rs. 1,200 crore over five years. The task force has recommended that the government fund under the "Union budget an inter-ministerial National Artificial Intelligence Mission (N-AIM), that will act as a nodal agency for coordinating AI related activities in India."
Mission's core activities include funding establishment of a network
The National Artificial Intelligence Mission shall involve itself in "core activities, coordination of AI-related projects of national importance and establishing Centers of Excellence," said the task force report. The core activities include funding establishment of a network among Academia, services industry, product industry, startups and Government ministries, besides helping studies to identify concrete projects in each domain of focus.
Implementation of technology would actually enhance productivity
Enabling policies and forging bilateral cooperation with countries like Canada, Germany, Israel, UK, and the US to develop AI solutions for social and economic problems and sharing the best practices were also recommended. Asked about fears of AI possibly affecting jobs, Professor Kamakoti said implementation of technology would actually enhance productivity and referred to agriculture to drive home his point.
