Artificial intelligence: SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE AND SOCIETY
How can the potential of artificial intelligence be maximized for the benefit of society while minimizing risks as effectively as possible? This question is at the heart of the 2024 focus topic of the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH), explored within their global network.
The advancement of artificial intelligence is progressing swiftly. With the remarkable success of foundational models like ChatGPT, the technology has transcended niche applications and entered the everyday lives of numerous individuals. Such transformative power necessitates thoughtful consideration of both the potential and challenges inherent in this technology.
International research collaborations, such as those facilitated by the German Centres for Research and Innovation, play a crucial role in this context. Artificial intelligence offers diverse applications to address local challenges in the countries where the DWIH operate—whether it’s adapting to climate change, optimizing traffic management, alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, or reshaping education to navigate crisis situations. Simultaneously, it is imperative to establish a global consensus on the risks and limitations associated with this technology.
Broad Spectrum of AI Research
The network of German Centres for Research and Innovation uniquely provides the invaluable combination of local expertise and global dialogue. It was only natural, then, for the DWIH Board of Trustees to once again prioritise AI as a key technology, following its focus in 2019.
This decision aligns seamlessly with the DWIH’s commitment to comprehensively cover the spectrum of the AI debate through a diverse array of dialogue sessions and events. Encompassing specific potential applications across various industries, the discussions will also delve into overarching issues such as governance, geopolitical challenges, and the potential impact of AI on human and fundamental rights.
Visit the DWIH network website for further insights into the rationale behind the DWIH’s focus topic for 2024.
India is progressively establishing itself as a prominent player in the field of artificial intelligence. According to the Centre for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), a U.S. think tank, the number of AI-related patent applications on the subcontinent witnessed a tenfold increase between 2012 and 2018. Positive market forecasts further bolster this trajectory. As per the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group (IMARC Group), the Indian artificial intelligence market is projected to reach approximately 3.9 million U.S. dollars by 2028, exhibiting a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.28 percent between 2023 and 2028.
Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence
With its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence published in 2018, the Indian government prioritizes economic growth and social inclusion, while simultaneously fostering discussions on crucial issues such as data privacy and ethics. As the Lead Chair of the OECD Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), India is poised to play a pivotal role in the development of responsible and trustworthy AI within an internationally harmonised regulatory framework in 2024. In a conference held in New Delhi towards the end of 2023, 28 GPAI member countries collectively addressed challenges like misinformation, disinformation, personal data security, and the profound threats to human rights and democracy. During his keynote speech, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to establish a robust global framework for AI.
DWIH New Delhi has been actively involved in addressing the challenges of artificial intelligence for several years. Aligning with its focus on science-based start-ups, it is dedicated to fostering a progressive dialogue in 2024 that channels the innovation efforts of both Germany and India.