From unified logistics to Gati Shakti and even PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, Artificial Intelligence is driving the nation, says Piyush Goyal

NEW DELHI, Oct 7 (The CONNECT) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) will help India to become a developed nation in the next 25 years as envisaged by the Prime Minister, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today said.

Addressing the 3rd edition of Global Artificial Intelligence Summit & Awards, Goyal said AI will truly be a catalyst in India's development journey. The Make in India programme when juxtaposed with AI technology, will enable India to become the factory of the world providing both equipment and technology to the world.

Goyal said that the Government is using AI to redefine the way it works. He cited the example of Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), which is leveraging AI to improve the entire logistics ecosystem of the country. Similarly, initiatives like PM Gatishakti National Master Plan, which aims at developing our infrastructure smarter; ONDC, which aims at democratising E commerce, GeM which has made a significant impact for government procurement - all these are leveraging Artificial Intelligence to bring efficiency and better delivery of services.

Elaborating on the use of AI, Goyal said that ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’, a major initiative of the Government that was launched during covid pandemic to provide additional food security to over 80 crore people, is also using AI in many ways - to help understand the needs and behaviour patterns of beneficiaries and get feedback about the performance of the Fair Price Shops. It helps in assessing which shops are performing efficiently and providing good services to beneficiaries, he said. One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) uses AI and can help us to analyse the mobility patterns of our migrant workforce, he pointed out.

He noted that the huge talent pool available in the country will definitely help in exploring newer ways to take AI in every sector of economic activity.
Quoting Prime Minister Modi, the Minister said “Any society which does not innovate, stagnates”.

The Minister appreciated the Department of Science and Technology for its wonderful work in supporting the efforts of the scientific community of the country over the years, and particularly during the challenging times of Covid.  
The third AI Summit has been organised by AICRA and is focusing on the areas of defence, healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, mobility and education in partnership with the government. The aim is to develop a roadmap on how to use AI ecosystem and startups for the benefit of society. The 3rd Annual conference has set up multidisciplinary groups to break down the silos in which different stakeholders have been working and to find technological solutions for the key sectors of our society.