UNESCO and MeitY Host National Stakeholder Workshop on Ethics of AI

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th June. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) South Asia Regional Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, convened the National Stakeholder Workshop on Safe, Trusted, and Ethical AI at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi.

This workshop, held at a pivotal juncture following the recent approval of the IndiaAI Mission by the Government of India, marked a significant milestone in bolstering India’s AI ecosystem. With an allocation exceeding Rs 10,000 crore, the IndiaAI Mission underscores the nation’s commitment to integrating safe, trusted, and ethical AI considerations into national and state-level strategies and programs.

The event witnessed the participation of senior officials from various Central Line Ministries, State Governments, NITI Aayog, and industry partners such as NASSCOM, fostering a diverse spectrum of perspectives. Panel discussions and breakout group sessions delved into crucial topics including the ethical implications of AI, societal impacts, and strategies for harnessing ethical AI implementation in India.

Eminent dignitaries graced the inaugural session, including Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY; Mr Tim Curtis, Director, UNESCO South Asia Regional Office; and Ms Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences.

In his address, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood emphasized India’s commitment to adopting a balanced approach to AI, highlighting initiatives such as the India AI mission. Shri Abhishek Singh underscored the importance of fostering a safe and trusted AI environment, promoting innovation while mitigating risks.

The workshop underscored the transformative potential of AI, projected to contribute nearly $500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025 across sectors like healthcare, finance, and telecommunications. MeitY’s leadership in the IndiaAI Mission, comprising key components such as compute capacity, innovation centers, and startup financing, aims to catalyze technological self-reliance nationwide.

Key agenda items included sessions on AI fundamentals, ethical dimensions, UNESCO’s role in AI ethics, and India’s AI policy landscape. The workshop served as a crucial platform for informed policy development, aligning with international norms and standards outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

Mr Tim Curtis reiterated UNESCO’s commitment to supporting India in integrating ethical considerations into AI strategies, ensuring alignment with global standards. Ms Debjani Ghosh, President of NASSCOM, stressed the importance of ethical principles in AI deployment, advocating for equity and inclusion.

The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted unanimously by all 193 UNESCO Member States in November 2021, serves as a cornerstone for promoting human rights and dignity in AI development and deployment. UNESCO’s collaboration with MeitY aims to translate these core values into concrete policy actions, fostering ethical AI governance across various spheres.