The Genesis and Impact of Artificial Intelligence in India: A Timeline
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way in India, starting in the 1980s through academic initiatives and gradually making a significant impact over the decades. From early research within institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), to the establishment of government support from the late 1990s to the present, AI in India has seen a transformative journey.
Origins and Early Pioneers
Early Beginnings: Artificial Intelligence research in India took shape in the 1980s, primarily within academic institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Researchers focused on foundational aspects of AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics.
Government Support: The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and later the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) began supporting AI initiatives in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This support laid the groundwork for AI research and development in the country.
Key Phases of Impact
Early 2000s: As global AI applications proliferated, Indian tech companies started integrating AI into their services, particularly in software development, customer service, and data analytics. This period saw the integration of AI into core services, enhancing efficiency and innovation.
Mid-2010s: The impact of AI became more visible with advancements in e-commerce, digital payments, and customer service automation. Leading Indian companies like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro invested heavily in AI research, and global tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and IBM established AI research centers in India, further fuelling the growth of AI in the country.
2018 Onwards: The launch of the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence by the NITI Aayog in 2018 marked a significant milestone. This strategy aimed to make India a leader in AI applications for sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and smart cities. The strategy attracted large-scale government and private investments, spurring innovation and the adoption of AI across various industries.
Current Landscape
Today, AI in India is widely adopted across multiple industries including healthcare, agriculture, finance, and governance. With the Digital India initiative and recent pushes in AI-powered education, healthcare through telemedicine, and smart governance, AI is demonstrating a transformative impact on India's economy and society.
Notable Examples
Healthcare: NIRAMAI Health Analytics and SigTuple have developed AI-driven solutions to improve diagnostics and reduce the workload on medical professionals. NIRAMAI's Thermalytix employs thermal imaging and machine learning for accurate tumor detection, while SigTuple analyzes medical images like blood smears for faster and more accurate diagnoses.
Agriculture: AgriLLM is an AI model designed to assist farmers with automated query resolution, providing timely and contextually relevant information to enhance agricultural practices.
Banking and Finance: HDFC Bank's Eva is an AI-based chatbot that addresses millions of customer queries, enhancing customer service efficiency. Senseforth AI Research developed this platform to improve customer service across various languages and industries.
Customer Service: Enterprise Conversational AI Chatbot Platform provides an AI platform for automating customer support across chat and voice, supporting over 135 languages and serving clients like Sony, Flipkart, and Dominos Pizza. Haptik offers conversational AI solutions, including chatbots for various industries, enhancing customer engagement and operational efficiency.
Law Enforcement: Maharashtra Police's MARVEL is an AI system aimed at improving crime prediction and detection, enhancing law enforcement capabilities. This system has been designed to support public safety and crime prevention strategies in the state.
Legal Sector: Aalap is an AI assistant designed to aid legal and paralegal functions in India, assisting professionals with legal reasoning and information retrieval. This tool has the potential to streamline legal processes and improve access to legal information.
These examples illustrate the diverse applications of AI across sectors in India, contributing to enhanced services, operational efficiency, and societal benefits.