Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, while addressing the media on Friday, said that India has transformed in the last nine years. With the talks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opportunities gaining momentum in the country, minister Chandrasekhar said that Centre will regulate AI the same way it regulates any other emerging technology.
Chandrasekhar was speaking on how far India has travelled in terms of digitisation in the last nine years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“AI will be regulated to ensure that it does not harm digital citizens,” he said.
He also added that India has become the world's largest country in digital transactions.
“In the last nine years, the country has transformed. We have not just transformed, we have travelled a long distance from the bad days of UPA's lost decade when people were running away from the country, there were scams every day and nobody was making any investment,” said Chandrasekhar, reported ANI.
The minister also added that India is looking ahead by creating more jobs than ever before. “Today we are receiving the highest FDI...our sector has now become the one where rest of the world wants to partner with Indian entrepreneurship and Indian entrepreneurs to build the technologies of the future.”
He also highlighted that 85 crore Indians use the internet, which is expected go high up to 120 crores by 2025.
"Toxicity and criminality have significantly increased on the internet..crimes like doxing has been rising,” he added.
Law and order are state subjects and Centre will have to work with state governments on strict initiatives regarding it.
"There is a boost of digital connectivity in the country, and its the vision and mission of the government to ensure safety and security in cyberspace," he said.
He also added that India has become one of the biggest consumers of mobile internet and data. “We have the lowest prices compared to anywhere in the world and it has happened in the last nine years,” he added.
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman held talks with PM Modi on Thursday evening on various aspects of AI. Modi had said that the potential of AI in India's tech ecosystem is vast.
Regarding Altman's visit to India, Chandrasekhar said that it is a sign that he sees the country as a promising space and could be looking at future opportunities.
India has taken major strides in the digital and technology sector in the past decade. India has become the world's largest country in digital transactions. Technology is even accessed by people in the remotest villages in India, he said.
"We are among the biggest consumer of mobile internet and data and have the lowest prices compared to anywhere in the world. This has happened in the last nine years," said Chandrasekhar.
"During the time of 2G and 3G, every component was imported. Characteristics of telecoms in the last decade were dependency on imports, 2G scams...destruction of wealth,” he said.
During a session at IIT Delhi, Altman said that they discussed about the opportunities in the field of AI and how it could benefit the country. He also said that in India the first thing he would do is to fund startups.
"Great conversation with @narendramodi discussing india's incredible tech ecosystem and how the country can benefit from ai...really enjoyed all my meetings with people in the @PMOIndia," tweeted Altman.
