Recognising AI’s arrival in India

AI will be used in India’s agri-food system, not just in precision agriculture at the production stage but also at the logistics/marketing/processing stage

- ASHOK GULATI Distinguished professor, ICRIER

NOTWITHSTANDING THE ROBODOG goofup by Galgotias University and the “shirtless” demonstration by some misguided youths, the AI Impact Summit was hugely successful in raising artificial intelligence (AI) awareness amongst young Indians. The fact that 91 countries and international organisations have endorsed the Delhi Declaration for the use of Al for global good—Sarvajan hitaya and sarvajan sukhaya (Welfare for all, and happiness for all)—speaks for its success.

However, three fundamental issues discussed at the summit: Will Al lead to faster growth? Will it create or take away jobs? And will its benefits be equally distributed?

A majority of the answers to the first question were affirmative—undoubtedly, it will accelerate overall development. Many opined that humanity is likely to leapfrog in its evolution of knowledge, efficiency, and growth. Within the next decade, explosive growth in Al is likely, which will disrupt the functioning of almost all sectors, and those who want to remain in a business-as-usual mode will be left far behind. However, the biggest debate about Al is whether this process of creative destruction would lead to massive job losses. Opinions are currently divided. The managing director of the Interna-