Artificial Intelligence in India

India's AI landscape is poised for substantial growth, with AI projected to contribute USD 957 billion (15% of GDP) by 2035. The government is heavily investing in building AI capabilities. Globally, India ranks fourth in producing AI-related scholarly papers and is among the top ten countries for AI patent production, as reported by the Center for Security and Emerging Technology in March 2021.

Artificial Intelligence in Judicial System

The Indian Judicial System, renowned for its extensive work mechanism, actively explores technology implementation within courts. Therefore, using artificial intelligence in the judicial system will streamline case management and accelerate the inclusion of references in judgments like never before.

Technology will bridge the gap for individuals excluded from accessing justice due to geographical constraints. The appointment process for judges in the higher judiciary, including the high courts and the Supreme Court, is expected to undergo significant changes in the coming years. Criticism of the current collegium system has highlighted its weaknesses, with claims that it has devolved into cronyism and arbitrariness, placing merit as a secondary consideration.

One notable application is using AI-powered algorithms to analyze vast volumes of legal data and assist in legal research. These algorithms can quickly search through extensive databases, identify relevant cases, and provide valuable insights to lawyers and judges. As a result, this technology saves time, reduces manual effort, and improves the accuracy of legal research.

Once again, technology will play a vital role in revamping and rationalizing this system by the end of the decade, ensuring a more objective approach. As India enters the 2030s, it will do so with a stronger, more transparent, and credible judicial system.

Artificial Intelligence in Indian Railways

Indian Railways is taking significant strides toward integrating Artificial Intelligence across logistics and transportation operations. As a result, the traditional days of lengthy planning and queues for ticket reservations are becoming a thing of the past.

Artificial Intelligence in India has emerged as a powerful alternative to human intelligence and continues to play a crucial role in this domain. For example, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced an AI and NLP-enabled Intelligent Virtual Assistant called AskDISHA, marking the first-ever implementation of an AI chatbot by a Public Sector Enterprise in India. AskDISHA is now operational on the IRCTC website and mobile app, providing prompt responses and information to passengers through voice and text in multiple languages.

Developed by CoRover using its proprietary cognitive AI technology and leveraging the Microsoft Azure architecture, AskDISHA stands for "Digital Interaction to Seek Help Anytime. Users can type or speak their queries, receiving immediate resolutions from this NLP-powered virtual assistant. The bot understands both English and Hindi and is even programmed to comprehend a mixture of the two, commonly known as Hinglish.

Artificial Intelligence in Signboard Translation

Scientists at IIT-Madras have initiated AI4Bharat, an initiative to foster Artificial Intelligence in India. AI4Bharat brings together a community of engineers, domain experts, policymakers, and academicians who collaborate to develop AI solutions to address India's unique challenges. Among the ongoing projects led by AI4Bharat in Natural Language Processing (NLP) are Signboard Translation from Vernacular Languages, Fonts for Indian Scripts, Word Embeddings for Indian Languages, and more.

Speaking specifically about the signboard translation project represents a remarkable endeavor in this domain and aims to develop an application that leverages NLP techniques to translate the text displayed on a signboard into the desired language chosen by the user. Using a device's camera, such as a phone or tablet, the user needs to point it toward the signboard, and the application will provide a real-time translation of the text.

Initially, the project focuses on translating specific names like city and road names, typically short text segments but crucial for identifying locations while traveling. In subsequent phases, the project aims to expand the range of supported languages and handle more complex text structures.

Artificial Intelligence in Quantum Computing

In collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in India is preparing to establish a Quantum Computing Applications Lab. This significant endeavor is expected to expedite research and development in quantum computing and facilitate groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

Quantum computing is an emerging discipline that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to construct powerful tools for information processing. It possesses the potential to solve computational problems that are currently beyond the capabilities of classical computers. Furthermore, quantum computing can drive advancements in chemical engineering, material science, drug discovery, financial portfolio optimization, machine learning, and more, leading to transformative breakthroughs.

Artificial Intelligence in Malaria Diagnosis

In a collaborative effort with three hospitals across India, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) have recently developed proteomics technologies and artificial intelligence (AI)-based models.

The team's primary objective is to create a prototype diagnostic` kit that can enable widespread disease detection. This kit will compile panels of proteins for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Once the prototype is developed, it will be compared to the currently used RDT kits. In India, malaria cases are predominantly found in vulnerable populations, such as workers at construction sites in malaria-endemic regions.

During the disease's onset, rapid diagnostic aids play a crucial role in identifying the causative agent. Therefore, if clinicians can diagnose the disease and predict its progression from non-severe to severe conditions before the manifestation of clinical symptoms, it would enable more specific and effective treatment.

Artificial Intelligence in Banking Sector

Artificial Intelligence in India has been pivotal in ensuring stability and implementing effective decision-making methodologies with optimal resource utilization in the Banking Sector.

ICICI Bank has recently implemented software robotics in its banking operations to enhance efficiency and reduce response time. However, some customers need to be convinced about the automation tools, leading to many queries regarding international money transfers. This query surge resulted in longer response times, averaging around 12 hours, adversely affecting customer satisfaction.

ICICI Bank introduced an AI engine developed using machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and cognitive computing tools to address this challenge. The engine analyzes customer queries through text and semantic analysis, leveraging cognitive tools to comprehend, process, and resolve issues within the bank's interface. Subsequently, customers receive appropriate solutions.

Additionally, machine learning enables the engine to continuously improve its query processing capabilities, providing enhanced outcomes for customers.

Artificial Intelligence in Aviation Sector

The Aviation Sector is experiencing rapid growth in business, passenger volume, and technological advancements. Although the sector faced significant setbacks due to the pandemic, it is expected to make a remarkable recovery through strategic measures.

The pandemic has compelled the aviation industry to implement essential changes to ensure social distancing and adhere to COVID protocols. Hyderabad International Airport recently became the first airport in India to adopt IoT (Internet of Things) technology for real-time tracking and managing baggage trolleys throughout the airport. This initiative aligns with the Government of India's flagship Digital India Programme.

The intelligent trolley system is equipped with predictive analysis capabilities, enabling it to anticipate the demand for baggage trolleys based on estimated arrivals and departures of passengers. This streamlines airport operations and enhances the passenger experience. The predictive analysis facilitates proactive planning and ensures greater transparency. Additionally, the system enables easy data access and offers cross-platform compatibility, further enhancing its functionality.

Artificial Intelligence in Transmission Corporation (APTransco)

APTransco, the Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation, has introduced India's first-ever day-ahead electricity forecasting model. This model utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to predict the electricity consumption for the following day, including a detailed forecast for every 15-minute interval.

Implementing this model empowers officials at the AP State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) to make informed decisions regarding electricity demand and supply, efficient grid management, and cost reduction in power procurement. The collaborative efforts of Google, the World Bank, and the SLDC drive the forecasting model's development, with the SLDC contributing its expertise in-house.

As the system becomes operational, APTransco has plans to expand the day-ahead forecasting capabilities to include wind energy, solar energy, market prices, surplus from central generating stations, and frequency. Additionally, APTransco is actively working on a cost-effective model for electricity dispatch. This model will generate data to determine the optimal generation and dispatch of electricity in 15-minute intervals for the subsequent day, thus minimizing expenses associated with power procurement.

Additional Resources

1. Applications of AI