Stating that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise India’s tech landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cautioned that it can also become the biggest danger of the 21st century too.
He inaugurated the India chair of the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) in Delhi on Tuesday and said “Last century, we faced uneven growth due to unequal access to technology. We know when technology comes together with democratic values, it will work as a multiplier in inclusion.”
He added that the right use of AI can bring in great advantage and equality in society. “AI can help in growth, but it will depend on us,” the prime minister said, pointing out the challenges AI throws up, like deepfakes. “It can become the biggest tool for the transformation of 21st century, but it can also become the biggest danger of the 21st century, too,” he added.
“If AI tools reach terror groups, it can be a threat to world security,” Modi said and called on stakeholders to exercise “extreme caution”.
To mitigate the risks, the prime minister said it was imperative that the world comes together to get a global framework and standard in place “for the safety of mankind”.
He pointed out how the Delhi G20 Summit’s New Delhi Declaration had prepared a framework for responsible AI and how it needs to be seen all the way through, at forums like GPAI.
“There is much good that can come from AI as well as being aware of risks from it, like misinformation,” said IT & Electronics Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar in his welcome address. The opening event was also attended by Union IT, Electronics & Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hiroshi Yoshida,‘digital minister’ (vice-minister for policy coordination ) of Japan, the outgoing chair country of GPAI.
