Industrialization and Digitization has changed the way humans look at
life. The world is moving at a technological pace wherein with every passing
minute an invention is done, and a lot of these inventions are beyond human
imagination. One such technology is Artificial Intelligence or AI as it is
popularly known. AI has brought extensive changes around the world. AI is a
term for simulated intelligence in machines.[1]
According to the father of Artificial Intelligence, John McCarthy, it
is ‘The science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially
intelligent computer programs’.[2]
In simple words, it is anything that can learn and perform functions on its own
without any intervention by humans. AI is the ability of simulated machines to
mimic human thoughts like problem solving and learning. These machines also
understand human languages, speech and are skilled in strategic thinking.
Artificial Intelligence is a part of our daily lives. Siri, Alexa, Google
Maps, Uber, Turnitin and other machine learning applications are all products
of AI. AI is touted as the future of mankind. AI has already started making its
mark in plethora of fields and industries like healthcare, education,
transportation, agriculture and many more.
To embrace this new wave called AI, India has made a modest beginning
this year by devoting a huge amount of money. In his Budget Presentation on
February 1, finance minister Arun Jaitley announced a national programme on AI
to be spearheaded by Niti Aayog.[3]
Approximately USD 480 million dollars have been dedicated to artificial
intelligence, machine learning and IoT this year.[4]
Many industries and institutions are taking a leap in the field of AI.
One of the most robust inventions are coming in the field of health care, which
is utilizing AI in collecting, storing, normalizing, and tracing data. From smartphone
and health tracker revolutions, it has become possible for a user to analyze
all relevant data or simply to be up-to-date about his/her health.
Currently, a low cost portable home-based rehabilitation solution
device is produced which helps patient exercise for flexion and extension of
wrist and fingers. The device has been tested on 20 stroke patients in All
India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi and can also be combined
with the brain stimulation device.
Moreover, institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi
have developed many innovations based on AI ranging from an “intelligent”
prosthetic limb and a non-hazardous, long-lasting “flow battery” to a new type
of loom and technology to convert agriculture waste into pulp that saves 40%
water and energy than usual. Further, Centre for Biomedical Engineering has
developed a new Intelligent Artificial Leg for people who have lost their legs
above the knee. These artificial devices are cheap and durable and uses smart
sensing technology in the shoes to adapt to the movement of the individual.
As they say every coin has two sides. With AI benefits comes certain
challenges that can be a major threat to the mankind. For example, the security
of the large amounts of data that AI would store. Another major issue that
stands is the privacy of the personal data that AI would gather.
No doubt that artificial intelligence has
unimaginable potential. The next few decades would definitely mark a shift from
machine intelligence to artificial superintelligence and set forth a new era in
which a computer’s cognitive ability will be superior to human’s. Nevertheless,
along with the new AI inventions, we as a country also need to invest in strong
step to fight the challenges that this necessary devil would bring along it.
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