Indian government needs to encourage cross-border collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) research with countries like Japan, UK, Germany, Singapore, Israel and China to develop solutions that tackle economic and other challenges, a report said today.
The Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Science and Technology (DST) may take the lead in developing such relationships, suggested the Assocham-PwC joint study.
“The public sector, with its various schemes (Digital India, Make in India, Skill India), could identify areas where specific applications of AI and robotics can be utilised to increase reach, effectiveness and efficiency, thus giving direction to existing innovation across different fields,” the study observed.
The study while suggesting that policy planning in AI must be aimed at enabling a conducive ecosystem that is supportive of research, innovation and commercialisation of applications, recommended setting up digital data banks and exchanges to stream-in information from across industries together with revision of secondary school and university curricula to inculcate interest in AI-led growth.
Stressing on the need for a more pragmatic approach towards the use of AI, the study added, collaborative efforts and the ongoing dialogue between the three pillars of AI-based research — academia, public sector, private industry – should be encouraged.
“Government could act as a catalyst in furthering growth by opening training centres focused on equipping young individuals with high-end skills in the field of analytics and Machine Learning, which, in turn, could be tied in with inviting data-driven global enterprises to set up their centres of excellence in India,” the study concluded.
