India hosted a workshop on “AI for Good Governance” , reaffirming its commitment to data-driven, efficient, and citizen-centric digital public infrastructure using AI.

Key Highlights  of the “AI for Good Governance” Workshop

• Organized by: The workshop was conducted by the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDT&G), Government of Himachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Purpose: The event aimed to sensitize over 100 senior officials on the role of AI in governance, focusing on transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric service delivery.
  • The workshop is part of NeGD’s Capacity Building (CB) initiative under the broader IndiaAI Mission, supporting states in building AI-ready governance frameworks.
• Technical Focus Areas: Key sessions covered AI foundations, risk mitigation, adoption strategies, tools for public administration, and cyber hygiene.
• Strategic Vision: State officials emphasized ethical, inclusive, and innovation-driven AI deployment, reaffirming  commitment to digital transformation and resilient AI infrastructure.

About Artificial Intelligence

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machine-based systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence such as decision-making, pattern recognition, learning, and problem-solving.
• Role in Governance: AI in governance ( GovAI ) refers to the deployment of intelligent technologies in public administration to enhance efficiency, responsiveness, transparency, and service delivery
• Role in Economy: AI can be instrumental in changing the economic landscape, particularly in areas such as personalised marketing, enhanced customer experience, and market intelligence.
  • According to PwC’s 27th Annual Global CEO Survey 2024, 70% of Indian CEOs believe that Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) will transform value creation within the next three years.

Trends that are Driving AI in India

• Digital Connectivity Expansion: India has 90 crore internet users in 2024; projected to reach 120 crore by 2026, making it the most connected digital society globally.
• Growing AI Startup Ecosystem: Over 1,00,000 startups, including many AI-driven firms, have emerged, fuelled by India’s DPI-led digital initiatives.
• Massive Public Investment in AI: The government allocated INR 10,354 crore to the IndiaAI Mission, focusing on data, innovation, and indigenous capability.
• Rich Public Data Ecosystem: India’s digital public infrastructure has created one of the largest public data repositories, vital for training AI models.
• GovAI as a Governance Multiplier: AI is transforming governance through apps and small language models (SLMs), improving policy design, public service delivery, and disaster management.

Advantages of Using AI in Governance

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AI enables evidence-based policy formulation by analysing large datasets.
  • Example: Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfers use AI to reduce subsidy leakages.
• Efficient Public Service Delivery: Automation reduces human error, speeds up processes, and enhances transparency.
  • Example: Passport Seva Kendras automate scheduling and documentation processes.
• Personalized Services: AI chatbots and interfaces offer customized services in regional languages.
  • Example: MyGov Portal uses AI to personalise citizen engagement.
• Predictive Governance: Anticipates disasters, diseases, or economic crises using machine learning. For Example, Indian Meteorological Department uses AI to predict cyclones and issue early warnings.
• Smart Infrastructure Management: Urban services are optimised through AI, enhancing quality of life. Smart Cities Mission uses AI for traffic, waste, and surveillance management.
• Judicial Reforms: AI helps in legal translations, case prioritisation, and reducing pendency.
  • SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) translates legal documents into regional languages.
• Education and Healthcare: Enables personalised learning and improves diagnostics and telemedicine outreach.
  • For Example, NITI Aayog  initiative uses AI in cancer image diagnostics.
• Policy and Scheme Performance: Enhancing the design and effectiveness of social security programs. Example: AI-powered platforms like Aarogya Setu and UMANG in India.

Indian Government Initiatives Promoting AI in Governance

• National Strategy for AI (#AIforAll): Released by NITI Aayog (2018), it outlines the use of AI for inclusive growth in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
• IndiaAI Mission (2024) : Allocated ₹10,372 crore to develop computer infrastructure, support startups, and create foundational language models.
• Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), 2020: India is a founding member and currently chairs GPAI to promote ethical AI deployment.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): AI-powered DPI includes Aadhaar, UPI, Digilocker, driving public service transformation.
• Skill Development Programme: Initiatives like MeitY’s FutureSkills PRIME and CBSE AI electives promote capacity building in AI.

International Innovations in AI-Governance

• European Union: Introduced the EU AI Act (2024), the world’s first comprehensive regulation to govern ethical AI use.
• United States: Uses AI for fraud detection, predictive policing, and public health analytics through agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Singapore: Launched the Model AI Governance Framework for public-private coordination in AI ethics and innovation.
• United Nations: Introduced the Global Digital Compact (2024) to standardise digital cooperation and AI deployment for sustainable development.

Challenges of Using AI in Governance 

• Data Privacy and Security: AI systems need massive datasets, raising risks of breaches and surveillance. Aadhaar breach exposed data of over 81 crore Indians (2023).
• Digital Divide: Rural and marginalised populations face limited access to AI-based services.
  • 45% of Indians lack internet access (IAMAI 2023).
• Skill Gap: Shortage of trained personnel hampers adoption. NASSCOM reports a shortage of 1.4 lakh AI professionals in India.
• High Costs: Development and maintenance of AI systems demand significant financial investment. 
• Fragmented Data Ecosystems: Lack of interoperability between departments undermines AI’s effectiveness.
  • Example: National Data Governance Framework Policy is still pending implementation.

• Ethical Concerns: Bias in training data leads to unfair outcomes and discrimination.
  • Example: AI recruitment tools and facial recognition systems may perpetuate discrimination due to inherent biases in training data.
• Accountability and Transparency: Opaque AI systems (black-box models) hinder public trust and legal scrutiny. In accident scenarios involving autonomous vehicles, legal responsibility remains ambiguous.
• Regulatory Gaps: India lacks a comprehensive AI-specific legal framework unlike the EU.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Data Infrastructure and Privacy: Implement the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) effectively.
  • Promote data anonymisation and secure storage.
• Build Ethical  Fair AI Models: Establish fairness metrics and audit mechanisms. Use diverse datasets to reduce algorithmic bias.
• Close the Digital Divide: Expand internet access and infrastructure to underserved regions.
  • Deploy AI solutions tailored to low-resource settings.
• Upskill the Workforce: Enhance training for bureaucrats and civil servants.
  • Expand AI education through initiatives like Responsible AI for Youth and India AI FutureSkills.
• Institutionalise Risk and Oversight Mechanisms: Create independent AI ethics committees.
  • Monitor AI outcomes through transparent, explainable AI (XAI) frameworks.
• Promote Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage innovation through sandbox models and subsidies. Support startup ecosystems under the IndiaAI Compute Capacity program (10,000+ GPUs).
• International Cooperation: Align with global AI ethics standards through platforms like GPAI and the UN Global Digital Compact.
  • Leverage diplomatic collaborations for technology transfers and joint R&D.

Conclusion

As India aspires to lead in “AI for All,” ensuring responsible and inclusive AI governance will be crucial for democratic legitimacy and developmental outcomes.

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