India, as the Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), recently hosted the GPAI Summit in New Delhi from December 12-14, 2023. The summit, held at Bharat Mandapam, brought together global AI experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and academia in a collaborative effort to advance the responsible and sustainable development of artificial intelligence. Over the course of three days, the summit showcased the significant strides made by India in the field of AI, highlighted the nation as a global hub for AI innovation, and fostered international cooperation through various sessions and discussions.
The inaugural session on December 12, 2023, featured Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who emphasized the impact of AI on nations of all sizes and stressed the need for caution and responsibility in its development. The Prime Minister outlined India’s initiatives, including the National Program on Artificial Intelligence, AIRAWAT, and the upcoming AI Mission, designed to enhance computing capabilities and promote AI applications in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.
The day continued with panel discussions and sessions covering diverse topics, including the application of AI in priority sectors, responsible AI working groups, collaborative AI for global partnership, and AI’s role in advancing healthcare.
The summit also provided a platform for start-ups to showcase their products and services, fostering innovation and collaboration. The Prime Minister took a walk-through of the Global AI Expo, wherein 100+ AI Startups and other key players from across the country comprising Jio, Google, IBM, MasterCard, Bhashini, Intel, Paytm, etc.
The second day delved into critical aspects such as AI education and skilling, international AI regulations, government strategies for a safe AI ecosystem, and mitigating social risks for a resilient society. Sessions highlighted the role of education in bridging the talent gap, the urgency of international AI regulations, and the importance of responsible AI models in creating a society resilient to AI’s impact.
A Fireside Chat on the Government’s Vision and Role in ensuring a Safe & Trusted Artificial Intelligence featured discussions on the complexity of computation, substantial investments in research, and the establishment of a Sandbox environment based on trust.
The final day showcased working groups focusing on data governance, AI for climate action, generative AI, innovation, and commercialization. Notable sessions included discussions on AI and intellectual property, the safe and trustworthy adoption of AI systems, and addressing the global AI divide.
The AI Gamechanger awards recognized outstanding contributions to responsible AI solutions, emphasizing the importance of ethical development. Mr. S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India and Mr. Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and President and CEO, National E-Governance Division, Government of India.
Achievements and Outcomes:
- GPAI New Delhi Declaration: The summit resulted in the GPAI New Delhi Declaration, signifying a consensus among member countries to advance safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, with a commitment to supporting the sustainability of GPAI projects.
- Global Framework for Ethical AI: The Prime Minister’s call for a global framework for the ethical use of AI reflects a shared commitment to ethical AI development on the international stage.
- India as a Global AI Hub: The summit highlighted India’s prominence in AI talent and ideas, showcasing the nation as a global hub for AI innovation.
- Showcasing Initiatives: India successfully brought together major AI initiatives such as the UN Advisory Group on AI and the UK AI Safety Summit, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- AI Research and Innovation: The summit provided a platform for the research community to showcase core and applied research, while the AI Pitch Fest offered start-ups an opportunity to pitch innovative products and services.
- Multi-Stakeholder Approach: The summit emphasized a multi-stakeholder approach, addressing AI advancements from various perspectives, including technology, policy, framework, industry, ethics, business, and academia.
Some of the key exhibitors from GPAI EXPO 2023 were:
Bhashini: Bhashini, a significant player in India’s AI landscape, made notable contributions during its participation in the Summit. Developed as an indigenously crafted language model, Bhashini showcased its prowess in addressing the linguistic diversity of India, particularly in the context of speech recognition technology.
MaterCard: Mastercard’s participation in the Expo played a crucial role in showcasing its advancements and contributions to the field of artificial intelligence (AI) within the financial technology sector. As a leading global player in the financial services industry, Mastercard presented innovative solutions and technologies at the Expo, demonstrating its commitment to the responsible and impactful use of AI.
Mastercard’s presence offered attendees a firsthand look at the company’s cutting-edge AI applications, highlighting how these technologies are shaping the future of finance, payments, and security.
Google: As one of the leading tech giants, Google exhibited its advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing attendees with insights into the company’s contributions to the AI landscape. Google, with its extensive expertise in AI research and development, demonstrated innovative applications, algorithms, and technologies that are shaping the future of AI across various domains such education, transportation, farming and healthcare.
Paytm: As a prominent player in the digital payments and financial services sector, Paytm showcased its AI-driven solutions and technologies at the Expo by presenting innovative applications, algorithms, and services that leverage AI to enhance the efficiency and user experience within the digital payments ecosystem.
By actively engaging in the Expo, Paytm not only demonstrated its technological prowess but also contributed to the larger conversation on the responsible and impactful use of AI in the financial sector.
Reliance: As a diversified entity with interests in telecommunications, energy, retail, and technology, Reliance exhibited its AI-driven solutions and innovations at the Expo, showcasing the broad spectrum of applications across its diverse business domains.
The GPAI 2023 Expo served as a dynamic platform where a multitude of key players as well as start-ups across diverse sectors came together to showcase their advancements and applications in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Representatives from industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, education, and more presented a rich tapestry of AI-driven innovations, underlining the transformative impact of this technology on various aspects of our lives.
The GPAI Summit 2023 in New Delhi marked a significant milestone in the global collaboration on artificial intelligence. India’s leadership in hosting the event and fostering international cooperation demonstrates a commitment to shaping the future of AI responsibly. The outcomes, including the GPAI New Delhi Declaration and the emphasis on ethical and sustainable AI development, set a positive trajectory for the continued growth of the AI ecosystem worldwide. As AI continues to reshape the world, the collaborative efforts showcased at the summit provide a foundation for a responsible and inclusive AI future.
