Rajeev Chandrasekhar, India’s Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, addressed concerns raised by Geoff Hinton, widely regarded as one of the "Godfathers of AI," regarding the potential risks associated with Elon Musk's ventures into artificial intelligence.
Geoff Hinton, who has been vocal about the potential dangers of unchecked AI development, has reportedly expressed concerns about the rapid advancements and potential misuse of AI technologies being pursued by Elon Musk through his various companies, including Tesla, xAI, and Neuralink. Hinton has often highlighted the risks of AI systems becoming too powerful and autonomous, potentially leading to unintended consequences.
In response to these concerns, Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasised India's commitment to responsible and ethical AI development. He stated that India is actively working to establish robust regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines to ensure that AI technologies are used in a manner that benefits society and mitigates potential risks.
Chandrasekhar reiterated India's focus on:
Responsible AI Development: India is committed to promoting AI innovation while adhering to ethical principles and safeguarding against unintended consequences.
Transparency and Accountability: The government is developing mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in AI systems, allowing for effective oversight and governance.
International Collaboration: India is actively engaging with international partners to establish global standards for AI safety and ethical considerations.
Human-Centric Approach: India’s vision for AI places humans at the centre, emphasizing AI systems that augment human capabilities and improve quality of life.
Chandrasekhar highlighted that India's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence focuses on responsible development and deployment of AI, emphasising ethical considerations, fairness, and transparency. The strategy includes measures to promote AI skills development, foster innovation, and address potential risks associated with AI technologies.