PM cautions 'significant risk of misuse' of AI in untrained hands
In a candid, free-wheeling chat with Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, Modi spoke at length on how India has democratised technology for the benefit of its citizens
PTI
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PM Narendra Modi with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during a meeting at his residence, in New Delhi on Friday. PHOTO: PTI
New Delhi, 29 March
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Friday cautioned that a powerful technology like AI in unskilled, untrained
hands holds significant risk of misuse, as he advocated the need for clear 'dos
and don'ts' and use of watermarks on AI-generated content to curb misinformation
and deepfake-related harms in the society.
In a candid, free-wheeling chat
with Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, Modi spoke
at length on how India has democratised technology for the benefit of its
citizens, embracing the power of digital for improving lives, and exuded
confidence that the country will take remarkable strides in the fourth
industrial revolution, that has digital in its core.
During the discussion that touched
on a slew of topics, from AI to Digital Public Infrastructure, the PM said in
the case of deepfakes, it is crucial to acknowledge and identify that a
particular deepfake content is AI-generated, along with appropriate disclosures
about its source.
Citing dangers of AI harms and
deepfakes in a society, he said, misuse of his voice, for instance, can
initially deceive and misguide people leading to widespread uproar. "It is
crucial to acknowledge that deepfake content is AI-generated and mention its
source. These measures are important in early days. We need to establish dos
and don'ts...we will need to think about it seriously," Modi said.
The PM talked of "significant
risk of misuse" when a powerful technology like AI is placed in unskilled
and untrained hands. "I suggest that we should start with clear watermarks
on AI-generated content to prevent misinformation," he said, adding the
idea is not to devalue AI creations but to recognise them for what they are.
Acknowledging the importance of AI,
the PM outlined how India extensively leveraged the new-age innovations during
the G20 Summit. AI also helped to translate his speeches in different
languages, he mentioned.
In the course of his conversation,
the PM asked Gates to take a selfie via Namo app, as he demonstrated an
AI-powered feature and face-recognition technology on the popular app. Gates
lauded India's technological strides. In a witty take on AI, the PM said, in
India, mothers are referred to 'Aai' (a word that sounds similar to AI), and
added that children here have become so advanced that they start using the
hi-tech term very early in life.
Modi said if people use AI merely
as "magic tool" or rely on it out of sheer laziness, say in drafting
letters, it would lead to "great injustice".
He stressed that AI tools must be
leveraged to enhance human efficiency and within a field of expertise. "One
should compete with AI and ChatGPT...should strive to surpass its
capabilities," he advised.
PM said he was very clear that he
would not let digital divide hamper the progress of the country. India, he
said, has built digital public infrastructure, and extended digital facilities
and services for public good. Modi said data security remains a paramount
concern, and emphasised that while India has a strong legal framework in place,
public awareness is equally crucial.
"We need to train the common
man for quality data. Second, data-owner must be informed about the intentions
behind data requests. If the requester aims to monetise the data through
agreements, consent should be given. The priority should be given for research,
and it is essential to keep the cost of research data affordable," Modi
said.
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