Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar engaged in a fireside chat at the Global Technology Summit 2023, discussing India’s utilization of emerging technologies and AI to foster innovation, good governance, and drive the digital economy towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s envisioned $1 trillion target. Emphasizing AI as a key enabler, Chandrasekhar highlighted the importance of a common global protocol or framework for AI, aiming for 20% of India’s GDP to be constituted by the digital economy by 2026.
The minister underscored the practical application of AI in transforming lives, promoting good governance, and its pivotal role in various sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, skilling, security, and language translation for inclusion. While acknowledging the transformative power of technology, Chandrasekhar outlined India’s strategy to build AI capabilities, particularly in training large, multi-parameter models, and the development of GPU capacity in the public and private sectors.
Reflecting on his experience at the Bletchley Summit in the UK, Chandrasekhar discussed the importance of discussions around AI safety and trust, aligning with India’s position since 2021. He reiterated India’s commitment to balancing the U.S. model of market regulation with the European model prioritizing citizens’ rights, ensuring a hybrid approach in regulating AI and technology.
Addressing questions on India’s semiconductor journey, the minister outlined the country’s progress, noting policies aimed at manufacturing and packaging, and the significance of innovation in design. Chandrasekhar highlighted the rapid advancements made in the last two years, aiming to make up for 70 years of neglect in the semiconductor industry through focused efforts in research, talent development, design, packaging, and fabrication.
In conclusion, Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed optimism about India’s semiconductor industry catching up with global standards, marking a significant shift from historical neglect to rapid progress in the past two years.
