India’s Strategic Move: Extending Digital Public Infrastructure to Sovereign AI

Introduction:

• India is embarking on a strategic trajectory to fortify its technological capabilities, intending to broaden its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative aims to cultivate sovereign AI capabilities, diverging from a dependency on global tech giants and propelling India onto the forefront of AI innovation.

Sovereign AI Initiative:

• The Minister of State for Electronics and IT has underscored India’s commitment to fostering indigenous AI, steering away from reliance solely on ecosystems dictated by international tech conglomerates. This strategic shift signifies a pivot towards self-reliance and the establishment of a robust indigenous AI framework.

Focus Areas:

• India’s AI strategy is primarily concentrated on deploying AI applications in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and governance. The overarching goal is to generate a profound economic impact through the practical implementation of AI technologies.

Tech Governance Solutions:

• Positioning itself as a frontrunner in utilizing technology for expansive governance solutions, India highlights its Aadhaar biometric identity program and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as pivotal achievements. The DPI concept, bolstered by government-backed technological frameworks and later expanded upon by private entities, embodies India’s approach towards scalable technological solutions.

India’s Strategy for AI Control:

• Proposed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the National Data Governance Framework Policy aims to establish the India Datasets platform, aggregating non-personal and anonymized government data. This initiative seeks to empower startups and researchers by granting access to valuable data for AI development, aligning with the objective of modernizing data collection to stimulate an AI-centric startup ecosystem.

Unified National Data Sharing Platform:

• Recent findings from an IT Ministry report emphasize the significance of the India datasets program in enabling diverse data sharing and exchange use cases. The potential monetization of non-personal data is poised as a catalyst for innovation and growth in the AI sector.

Regulating AI in India:

• Anticipated future AI governance laws in India are expected to reflect the pivotal role AI plays in the digital economy. The proposed hybrid regulatory model combines elements from European and American frameworks, aiming for a balanced approach. Additionally, the draft Digital India Bill may require major tech companies to contribute non-personal data to a government database, signaling a significant legislative direction post the 2024 general elections.

Conclusion:

• India’s pursuit of sovereign AI capabilities and a resilient digital public infrastructure positions the country as a pivotal player in the global AI domain. By emphasizing practical AI applications and adopting a balanced regulatory approach, India aims to foster innovation, ensure efficient data governance, and propel economic growth in the AI sector.