Niti wants Centre, states to use AI for solving social sector problems

Government thinktank Niti Aayog has asked central ministries and states to identify key projects where artificial intelligence could be adopted to resolve problems in areas like health, education and agriculture.

According to Niti Aayog's estimates, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to add USD 15.7 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, making it the biggest commercial opportunity in today's fast changing economy.

For India, according to the Aayog, an incremental USD 957 billion could be added to the GDP by 2035 by adopting AI, boosting India's annual growth by 1.3 percentage points by 2035.

"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 CEO Amitabh Kant said in a letter to the states and central ministries.

"Niti Aayog has a team that works on the AI programme and I would like to extend all help in providing necessary support, connecting to the concerned stakeholders and any other matter that may be required," Kant stated.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech for 2018-19 had entrusted Niti Aayog with the responsibility to develop the National Programme for AI.

In June 2018, Niti Aayog released the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence which is aimed at positioning India as a trailblazer for emerging economies.

The strategy strives to leverage AI for economic growth, social development and inclusive growth.

It identified five sectors for a more focused government involvement to promote the adoption of AI.

The focus sectors are healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure and smartmobility and transportation.