Harness Artificial Intelligence across sectors to make cities smart: Niti Aayog

Niti aayog

Artificial intelligence should be harnessed to provide smart solutions at scale across education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and mobility in Smart Cities, said Niti Aayog, CEO, Amitabh Kant.

AI refers to the ability of machines to perform cognitive tasks like thinking, perceiving, learning, problem-solving and decision-making.

A paper titled ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’, said, “AI for All will aim at enhancing and empowering human capabilities to address the challenges of access, affordability, shortage and inconsistency of skilled expertise.”

Furthermore, the paper has identified bottlenecks that need to be removed to achieve success in the use of AI. The bottlenecks include—lack of expertise in research and application of AI, absence of data ecosystem, low awareness, high cost, security issues and privacy concerns.

India initially plans to fund its AI initiative from the Rs 200 crore under Atal Innovation Mission.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also entrusted the Aayog with a  task to initiate a national program to direct government’s efforts in the area of artificial intelligence, including research and development of its applications in the Union Budget 2018 in February.