IITs to develop safe AI

IIT

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is launching a programme to encourage institutions like IITs and also startups to build artificial intelligence tools and framework to mitigate bias and ensure algorithmic fairness. Like WatsonX.governance

The project will be taken up under the aegis of the IndiaAI programme and the ministry intends to provide grants to institutions which can build 10 such tools based on the theme of “Responsible AI”.

The ministry said institutions such as IITs, National Institute of Technologies, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, other central/state government universities, research and development organisations, private universities and colleges are can participate in the programme and receive funding.

As the adoption of AI expands, India is focusing on fostering the development of local tools and frameworks that are tailored to its unique socio-economic landscape. The National Program on Artificial Intelligence (NPAI), through its IndiaAI – IBD initiative under the Digital India Corporation, is spearheading a research funding initiative under the ‘Responsible AI’ theme. This initiative aims to promote the creation of indigenous AI tools and frameworks that address bias and uphold algorithmic fairness.

The government is calling for innovative solutions in areas such as machine unlearning, which is vital for correcting errors, biases, and outdated information; synthetic data generation tools that produce artificial data resembling real data; and tools for ensuring algorithmic fairness to maintain equitable treatment across all user demographics.

Eligible institutions, including IITs, National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, and other recognized universities and research organizations, are invited to participate and potentially receive funding. These institutions should already possess the necessary laboratory infrastructure and a track record of relevant research publications.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals, which will be reviewed by a panel of experts. In addition to focusing on AI ethical certifications and algorithmic auditing tools, participants are also encouraged to develop AI governance testing frameworks to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines and governance policies. This comprehensive approach aims to position India at the forefront of responsible and equitable AI development.

PRAASSHANT DUBEY