India prioritises AI safety in global collaboration at Bletchley Park

Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasises India’s commitment to AI safety, trust, and global cooperation at Bletchley Park.

On the inaugural day of the ‘AI Safety Summit 2023’ held at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, delivered a keynote address during the opening plenary session. In his speech, he underscored India’s perspective on Artificial Intelligence, emphasising the nation’s unwavering commitment to AI with a strong focus on safety, trust, and accountability.

“We have consistently maintained that international collaborations, such as this summit, hold immense significance as we progress in shaping the future of technology. In an era brimming with exciting opportunities, our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has long advocated that the trajectory of technology’s future, whether it pertains to innovation, partnerships, or the institutional framework for regulating technology and innovation for the benefit of humanity, should be steered by a coalition of nations rather than a handful. He firmly believes that this institutional framework should be characterised by sustainability and strategic clarity,” Minister Chandrasekhar stated.

The Minister apprised his international counterparts that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has effectively embraced technology, catapulting the nation into a thriving digital economy and significantly improving the lives of its citizens. He emphasised that this transformation has ushered in vast opportunities, and the journey will continue through the realm of Artificial Intelligence.

“As we perceive it, Artificial Intelligence serves as a dynamic catalyst for India’s already burgeoning digital economy, growth, and governance. AI presents substantial opportunities for us, and we have a clear vision of the steps needed to address potential challenges associated with AI and emerging technologies. We approach AI with a focus on openness, safety, trust, and accountability. As a government, we’ve learned that when innovation outpaces regulation, we expose ourselves to the toxicity and misinformation prevalent in today’s social media landscape. This is not the path we should tread in the years to come with AI. AI must be harnessed for the collective good, progress, and prosperity of all citizens across nations,” the Minister further emphasised.

The ‘AI Safety Summit 2023’ has convened representatives from across the globe, including government officials, leading AI corporations, civil society organisations, and research experts. The summit’s primary objectives revolve around discussing the risks associated with AI, particularly at the forefront of its development, and exploring strategies for their mitigation through globally coordinated efforts.

This two-day summit has brought together Ministers and representatives from various countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, South Korea, among others. The collective commitment to addressing AI’s challenges while harnessing its potential for the betterment of humanity serves as a testament to the global community’s dedication to a responsible and prosperous AI-driven future.