Boosting core sectors: Across India’s farmlands, a quiet transformation is afoot. Agri-tech solutions powered by AI are already empowering farmers to increase crop output and yields by predicting the best time to sow seeds, warning of pest outbreaks, and even optimizing the use of water and fertilizers. In manufacturing, where exports are projected to hit $1 trillion by 2028, AI will improve efficiencies across the value chain—whether that’s by accurately forecasting supply and demand to prevent over-stocking or by inspecting thousands of products at scale to minimize defects. In healthcare, where AI presents a huge opportunity, deep learning algorithms can help doctors diagnose diseases earlier. Meanwhile, AI-powered wearables can monitor how well patients respond to treatment. As for retail, AI is helping brands predict customer needs more accurately, and deliver personalized service at every touchpoint. With a wide range of use cases across industries, AI could become as ubiquitous as electricity.

Reshaping work and employment: With over half of India’s 1.4 billion population under age 30, there need to be sufficient employment opportunities. Generative AI will create these. Bringing AI + data + CRM together will transform the way work is done. Repetitive tasks will be automated, freeing up people to engage in more creative, productive and fulfilling careers.

Skills like managing, advising, innovating, critical thinking and communicating will be increasingly in demand. So too will jobs in fields like data science, cognitive intelligence, digital transformation, business development and security. Filling these roles will require significant investments in upskilling and reskilling. The government is already thinking ahead with initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, which seeks to provide on-the-job training in coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics and other skills.

Bridging the socio-economic divide: Despite rapid economic growth, millions in India lack access to basic services. AI can help close these gaps.

Take healthcare. In rural India, where medical infrastructure and trained clinicians are scarce, AI-based diagnostic tools like smart stethoscopes and portable blood analysers can be used even by lay people to capture a patient’s health markers and then transmit this data to remote doctors for diagnosis. In financial services too, AI-based credit modelling tools are using alternative data sources, such as weather forecasts and satellite images of crop health, to determine a farmer’s credit-worthiness. Of course, for these applications to work, India’s digital divide must first be addressed by improving internet and smartphone access across marginalized communities.

Enabling smarter governance: From smart traffic management to public safety controls to air pollution mitigation, the use cases for AI in governance are endless. New Delhi plans to use AI to synchronise traffic signals so that there’s less congestion. Tamil Nadu expects to roll out a system of smart street monitoring to detect street light failures in real time. Even the Kumbh Mela uses AI-based crowd management to prevent stampedes.

Meanwhile, AI will help e-governance platforms like IndiaStack become more intelligent and customized for local communities. Digital India Bhashini, an AI-led language translation platform, will soon use a WhatsApp chatbot powered by ChatGPT to disseminate information on government schemes in 12 languages. At Salesforce, we’re bringing trusted generative AI to the enterprise with AI Cloud, offering the benefits of generative AI while ensuring data security. To scale up AI use in a meaningful way, greater public and private sector collaboration is essential. Businesses and governments must work together to:

Incentivize AI research: Offer strong financial backing to startups and academic institutions developing cutting-edge AI solutions for public good. Establish more centres of AI excellence in educational institutions.

Reduce brain drain: Retain India’s AI talent by providing high-quality education, infrastructure, competitive pay and professional opportunities.

Train for the AI age: Fund more education and training programmes at scale to help people upgrade AI skills. Provide free online courses to bridge gaps in AI expertise.

Keep AI ethics front and centre: Create guard-rails that root out algorithmic biases, improve transparency in AI functioning, and ensure the technology is used responsibly.

Used responsibly, this once-in-a-generation technology could transform the lives of millions of Indians for the better.

https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/ai-offers-a-rare-opportunity-to-transform-our-economy/amp-11691942757829.html