Daily Current Affairs : 13-January-2025
The Indian government is making significant investments in semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to secure AI sovereignty. This investment aligns with India’s goal to achieve a digital economy worth USD 1 trillion by 2028. To understand how important this initiative is, we must first explore the concept of Sovereign AI and its relevance.
What is Sovereign AI?
Sovereign AI refers to a country’s ability to develop, control, and deploy artificial intelligence using its own resources. This includes the infrastructure, data, workforce, and business networks necessary to build AI models and systems. The aim is for nations to have the autonomy to manage AI without depending on foreign technologies.
Key Aspects of Sovereign AI:
- National Control: It allows countries to ensure AI systems align with national laws and ethical standards.
- Data Sovereignty: It emphasizes control over data within national borders, protecting privacy and national security.
- AI in Governance: AI can transform governance, industries, and the workforce, with AI-powered systems assisting professionals across sectors.
- Ethical Standards: Countries can set protocols to ensure AI technologies are used ethically and securely.
- Strategic Autonomy: Sovereign AI reduces dependency on foreign technology, promoting local innovation.
- Economic Competitiveness: AI is a crucial driver of industrial innovation. Without it, nations risk falling behind in global competition.
The Growth of AI
The field of AI has rapidly advanced in recent years. In 2018, a model with 340 million parameters was considered large. Today, we see AI systems like ChatGPT, with 1.8 trillion parameters, and Gemini with 1.5 trillion. These models are growing more powerful, and the number of parameters in them reflects their capacity to handle complex tasks.
India’s Efforts in AI Sovereignty
India has made significant strides in AI development. Large companies like Tata Group and Reliance are investing in AI infrastructure and the creation of Large Language Models (LLMs) to support the country’s AI growth. Additionally, India has allocated USD 1.2 billion to a sovereign AI project, which includes building an AI supercomputer with thousands of chips under the IndiaAI Mission.
Applications of Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI plays a critical role in sectors such as:
- Defense: Enhancing security and defense capabilities.
- Healthcare: Improving diagnostics and patient care.
- Transportation: Revolutionizing logistics and transportation systems.
The Global Landscape of AI
On the global stage, AI cooperation is gaining momentum. A proposed Global AI Compact suggests sharing AI resources across countries, ensuring equitable access to this transformative technology. This collaborative approach could help bridge gaps between developed and developing nations in the AI sector.
Important Points:
- Sovereign AI: Refers to a nation’s ability to develop, control, and deploy AI using its own resources, including infrastructure, data, workforce, and business networks.
- Key Aspects of Sovereign AI:
- National Control: Ensures alignment with national laws, regulations, and ethics.
- Data Sovereignty: Emphasizes control over data within borders, safeguarding privacy and national security.
- AI in Governance: Transforms governance, industries, and the workforce, with AI-powered systems assisting professionals.
- Ethical Standards: Countries set security protocols and ethical guidelines for AI use.
- Strategic Autonomy: Reduces reliance on foreign technologies, promoting local innovation.
- Economic Competitiveness: AI is crucial for industrial innovation and global competitiveness.
- Growth of AI:
- In 2018, large AI models had 340 million parameters; today, systems like ChatGPT have 1.8 trillion parameters.
- India’s Efforts:
- Investment: India allocated USD 1.2 billion for sovereign AI, including an AI supercomputer under the IndiaAI Mission.
- Corporate Involvement: Tata Group and Reliance are developing AI infrastructure and Large Language Models (LLMs) in India.
- Applications of Sovereign AI:
- Defense: Enhances national security.
- Healthcare: Improves diagnostics and patient care.
- Transportation: Revolutionizes logistics and systems.
- Global AI Cooperation: A proposed Global AI Compact seeks to share AI resources across countries, promoting equitable access to critical technologies.
Why In News
The government is making substantial investments in semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure AI sovereignty, as India’s digital economy targets a growth of USD 1 trillion by 2028, positioning AI as a key driver for economic transformation and technological independence.
MCQs about Sovereign AI
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What does Sovereign AI refer to?
A. A country’s reliance on foreign AI technologies
B. A nation’s ability to develop, control, and deploy AI using its own resources
C. The global sharing of AI resources
D. AI systems used only for economic purposes
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Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of Sovereign AI?
A. National control over AI
B. Data sovereignty
C. Ethical standards for AI use
D. Dependency on foreign AI technologies
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How has the scale of AI models changed over recent years?
A. AI models are now smaller and less complex
B. AI models have stayed the same size
C. AI models have grown from millions to trillions of parameters
D. AI models are used only for entertainment purposes
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What is India’s approach to achieving AI sovereignty?
A. India is solely relying on global AI technologies
B. India has allocated USD 1.2 billion for AI development, including an AI supercomputer
C. India is not focusing on AI in its digital economy
D. India is avoiding the development of AI infrastructure
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