Sam Pitroda Says India Lagging In AI, Calls For Focus On Public Challenges

New Delhi, August 28: Renowned Indian technologist and senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda has expressed concern over India's slow progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speaking in an exclusive interview with IANS, Pitroda asserted that while Indian minds significantly contribute to shaping AI globally, the nation has made little headway in leveraging AI for its own challenges.

Pitroda highlighted that India lacks a comprehensive AI policy and direction, and has failed to utilize AI for governance. He stressed that the real test of AI progress lies in its ability to address the issues faced by ordinary citizens. Citing India's massive backlog of court cases, Pitroda proposed using AI to expedite and streamline legal proceedings. He also called for a special technology mission to leverage AI for improving the education and healthcare systems.

Pitroda argued that AI development for Western economies or financial markets does not align with India's priorities. Instead, he advocated focusing on AI solutions for the country's social and economic needs, such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. He emphasized that technology developed with a focus on India's specific challenges could have global relevance, benefiting other developing nations facing similar problems.

The telecom and IT expert acknowledged India's historical contributions to AI, including its early work in building domestic technological capabilities. He credited these efforts for the creation of a skilled workforce that later powered India's IT sector, generating seven million jobs and lifting millions out of poverty. Pitroda emphasized the need to channel this talent towards addressing the needs of poorer countries, rather than focusing solely on commercially lucrative problems in wealthier markets.