ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

1. Background

• Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. 
• The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. 
• The critical aspect is how new technologies can improve the welfare of societies and reduce the impact of communicable diseases, spotlighting the importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, blockchain, cloud and quantum computing, data analytics, 5G. 
• The complexity and rise of data in ethics mean that artificial intelligence (AI) will increasingly be applied within the field. 
• Several types of AI are already being employed by payers and providers of care, and life sciences companies. 
• The key categories of applications involve diagnosis and treatment recommendations, patient engagement and adherence, and administrative activities dealing with ethical dilemmas and governance. 
• Although there are many instances in which AI can perform ethical tasks as well or better than humans, implementation factors will prevent large-scale automation of ethical professional jobs for a considerable period.
• Ethical issues in the application of AI to healthcare are to be discussed and evolved by the Indian research community. 

2. Why does AI matter in Ethics

• Ethics is one of the most critical sectors in the broader landscape of big data because of its fundamental role in a productive, thriving society. 
• The Ethical application of AI to data can literally be a matter of life and death. AI can assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in their daily work in dealing with ethical dilemmas.. 
• AI in Ethics can enhance preventive care and quality of life, produce more accurate decision-making and comprehensive plans, and lead to better outcomes overall. 
• As a result, AI can play a crucial role in global Ethical health as a tool for combating ethical challenges in society.

3. Qualitative steps were taken by India in the domain of AI

• The Government of India has already embarked on this revolution with organizations like MeitY, NASSCOM, and DRDO having created the roadmap for AI in India.
• The use cases of AI in the government of India currently include biometric identification, facial recognition, criminal investigation, crowd and traffic management, digital agriculture, etc. Let’s explore what other initiatives and strategies have been implemented in India at the governmental level 
• The US-India AI Initiative There will be a National Center for Transformation AI and this will have a mandate of application-based research. 

3.1.MCA 3.0 

• In May 2021, The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) recently launched a new version of its portal, MCA 21, version 3.0. It will leverage the use of the latest technologies like data analytics, AI, and ML, to simplify regulatory filings for companies. 
• This was done to promote the ease of doing business and compliance monitoring. 
• “The MCA21 V3.0 will not only improve the existing services and modules, but will also create new functionalities like e-adjudication, compliance management system, advanced helpdesk, feedback services, user dashboards, self-reporting tools, and revamped master data services.”

3.2.National Research Foundation 

• The Government of India constituted the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 
• NRF is an autonomous body established to boost research across segments, including AI. “Fifty thousand crore rupees have been allocated for this. 
• This will strengthen the governance structure of the research related institutions and will improve linkages between R&D, academia, and industry”. 

3.3 AI in Schools 

• As part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, AI will now be a part of the Indian school curriculum. 
• “The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has initiated the process for preparing a new national curriculum framework for school education in pursuance of The National Education Policy 2020, during which the introduction of a new artificial intelligence course at a secondary level will be explored.” 
• Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) launched its flagship program, the US-India Artificial Intelligence Initiative. 
• The activity will bring together key stakeholders from India and the USA to foster AI innovation by sharing ideas and experiences, identifying new opportunities in research and development, and bilateral collaboration. 

3.4 AI Centers of Excellence 

• Government declared National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission which include creating Centres of Excellence (CoE).

4. Need of the Hour

• Develop a regional or national AI strategy for Ethics, defining a medium and longer-term vision and goals, specific initiatives, resources and performance indicators. 
• Define use cases to support through targeted funding and incentives to enable scaling of AI solutions across the system.
• Set standards for digitization, data quality and completeness, data access, governance, risk management, security and sharing, and system interoperability; incentivize adherence to standards through a combination of performance and financial incentives. 
• Redesign workforce planning and clinical-education processes to address the needs of AI-focused professionals; and invest upfront in upskilling frontline staff and designing lifelong-learning programs through continuing professional development and degrees or diplomas for Government professionals. 
• Provide incentives and guidance for Government organizations to collaborate in centres of excellence/clusters of innovation at the regional or national level. 
• Address AI regulation, liability and funding issues, creating the right environment for appropriate, safe and effective AI solutions to be adopted but minimizing the risk to practitioners. 
• Ensure this is reflected in funding and reimbursement mechanisms for innovation in healthcare—the number one priority for survey respondents from health systems, alongside simplifying data-governance and data-sharing processes.

5.Way Forward

• It also seems increasingly clear that AI systems will not replace the humanitarian approach to ethics on a large scale, but rather will augment their efforts.. 
• Over time, Ethical decisions may move toward tasks and job designs that draw on uniquely human skills like empathy, persuasion and big-picture integration. 

.