In a measured address ahead of the AI Impact Summit, Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, expressed a cautious stance regarding the role of artificial intelligence in society. He emphasized that humanity should not relinquish its creativity and cognitive abilities to machines, citing the potential risks associated with over-reliance on AI technologies.
Speaking with PTI, Sood highlighted the need for vigilance, particularly concerning the younger generation. He noted that unchecked use of AI could lead to cognitive decline, drawing parallels with the historical decline in the use of multiplication tables as calculators became commonplace. “If you outsource your thinking, that is very bad for humanity. Human beings are made to think,” he remarked, stressing that AI, rooted in human intellect, should not replace individual creativity.
Sood’s comments come as India prepares to host the AI Impact Summit from February 16-20, which will see participation from 15 heads of state, over 40 ministers, 100 leading CEOs and CXOs, alongside numerous academics. He advocated for clear “guardrails” governing AI use particularly in educational institutions, indicating that responsible deployment of AI technologies is crucial.
“Responsible use of AI is very, very necessary because AI can also hallucinate. If people are not careful, they will take that hallucination as a reality, which is extraordinarily bad,” Sood noted, underscoring the importance of human oversight in AI applications. He stressed that a human should always remain “in the loop” to mitigate potential misinformation or harmful consequences stemming from AI outputs.
Addressing the recent Grok controversy involving inappropriate depictions of children and women, Sood asserted that existing laws are adequate to tackle such issues. “There are laws already applicable for Grok kind of incidents… in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act,” he stated, suggesting that current legislation suffices without the immediate need for new regulations. He acknowledged, however, that the government is prepared to introduce new measures if necessary.
The Principal Scientific Adviser cited Section 66D of the IT Act, 2000, which pertains to cheating by impersonation through computer resources, including AI-generated impersonation and deepfakes. He also referred to provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that address content involving obscenity and defamation, asserting that the legal framework is robust enough to handle such challenges.
Sood emphasized the significance of protecting personal data, noting that the training of AI models using personal data without consent is governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. As the AI sector continues to evolve rapidly, he urged a balanced approach that fosters innovation while ensuring ethical use of technology.
The upcoming AI Impact Summit aims to facilitate discussions on harnessing AI technologies for societal benefit while addressing concerns regarding misuse and ethical implications. With leaders and experts converging to deliberate on these pressing issues, the summit could play a pivotal role in shaping future policies around AI governance and usage.
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