NITI Aayog Advocates Use of Artificial Intelligence by Central Government to Solve issues

The think tank of Indian Government NITI Aayog has urged central ministries and states to pick up some major projects where artificial intelligence technology can be applied to resolve issues in health, education and agriculture related areas.

As per NITI Aayog's estimations – AI has the capability to add $15.7 trillion to global GDP in the next 10 years. The adoption of technology can make it the biggest commercial space in the fast-evolving economy of today.

AI has the potential of adding $957 billion to India's GDP by 2035 accelerating its annual growth by 1.3 percent.

Amitabh Kant, the CEO of NITI Aayog quoted in his letter to states and central ministries, "I write to request you to identify key projects where AI can be developed to solve problems affecting the health sector that you wish to drive forward. Niti Aayog has a team that works on the AI program and I would like to extend all help in providing the necessary support, connecting to the concerned stakeholders and any other matter that may be required."

In his budget speech for 2018-19, the finance minister Arun Jaitley had confided NITI Aayog with 'National Programme for AI' responsibility.

NITI Aayog had released National Strategy for AI in June 2018 which has the objective of placing India as a pioneer for emerging economies.

The strategy put forward by the think tank seeks to leverage artificial intelligence technology for socio-economic development and inclusive growth.

NITI Aayog identified five sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure, and smart-mobility and transportation to spot major focus by government involvement to encourage artificial intelligence adoption.