AI to 'clean the system'

Al can play a huge role in building an ethical governance system by enhancing transparency and accountability.

- DR DEBASISH SUR

Corruption remains a formidable challenge in India's journey toward equitable development. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, India ranks 96th out of 180 countries, with a score of 38 out of 100, reflecting persistent concerns about public sector integrity. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a potent tool—not a panacea, but a significant enabler—in promoting transparent and accountable governance.

The persistent cost of corruption

Corruption continues to be a deeply entrenched issue in India, imposing both financial and social costs on its citizens. A study by the Centre for Media Studies estimated that nearly ₹20,000 crore was paid in bribes by Indian citizens just to access basic public services that are legally meant to be free. Services such as police, municipal bodies, and land records remain among the most affected, with citizens often left with no choice but to pay for what should be their entitlements. The problem is not merely economic—it is profoundly personal and systemic. Nearly 51 per cent of urban households surveyed admitted to paying a bribe in the past 12 months, highlighting how corruption continues to be a normalised part of everyday interactions with the state.