DPI meets AI: Better services may spell amplified risks

The benefits of AI integration with DPI must be weighed against the drawbacks of this approach

- LAKSHAY NARANG

We live in times of rapid technological advancements. Digital public infrastructure (DPI) has been a key innovation in India for enhancing the public sector's ability to deliver public services efficiently and effectively. Since India showcased DPI's potential at the 2023 G20 summit in 2023, the idea has gained global traction, with its transformative power widely acknowledged. At the same time, we have witnessed the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), driven by tools like ChatGPT. AI has captured the imagination of many with its ability to achieve efficiency gains across sectors such as healthcare, education and public service delivery. With both DPI and AI promising to improve societal outcomes, a critical question arises: Can AI and DPI work together to achieve shared goals? And if so, will their integration amplify risks such as data misuse, privacy violations, exclusion and systemic bias?

Real-world examples have already shown the potential harms of these technologies—from incorrect automated cash transfers in Telangana to biased fraud detection algorithms in the Netherlands. While AI can enhance DPI to improve public services, realizing these benefits would depend on factors like data quality, robust safeguards, the choice of appropriate AI models and strong accountability mechanisms.