Aimed at facilitating private organisations, especially startups, to use public data available with various government ministries, the government thinktank NITI Aayog is planning to launch a new portal in next six months.
Speaking at a conclave on artificial intelligence organised by Bennett University as part of leadingIndia.ai — a collaborative initiative by 100-odd pan India institutions to promote research in the field of AI, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said: “I believe innovations always come before the regulations. Hence, few policies might not be very relevant. And in certain areas, it’s better for the government to let private players innovate and disrupt.”
“The government departments are generally hesitant in sharing data with private players, restricting the scope of technological research. Hence, we are trying to change that with the help of this portal. Startups can then leverage this data with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to address India-specific issues,” Kant stated, adding that Aayog would also come up with, a ‘guidelines set’ for use of public data by private players.
Highlighting the utility of artificial intelligence in boosting businesses productivity, Kant further elaborated on Aayog’s plans on a soon-to-be-launched comprehensive strategy document on artificial intelligence.
Kant, CEO of the Govt’ think tank mandated with designing strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, further said artificial intelligence could help increase India’s year-on-year growth rate by 1.3% and that the government was already working with organisations, such as Microsoft and IBM, in that direction.
Refuting apprehensions that the upcoming technology already making waves across the globe could drastically affect conventional jobs in India and hinder traditional workforce, Kant remarked that AI would instead lead to numerous new job opportunities.
