The Role of Government in Regulating AI and Automation:
Policies and Initiatives
Companies are using artificial intelligence worldwide to automate mundane tasks, improve their decisions, and improve customer service. AI, however, is not a private sector exclusive. The global government seeks emerging technologies to enhance citizen well-being, boost productivity, and increase efficiency. Likewise, they realize the public expects the government to offer the same innovative services as private businesses.
Why Government Regulation of AI and Automation is Necessary?
By incorporating AI into every component of their business, the public sector and the government will gain significantly. Privacy and security concerns, interoperability with legacy systems, and changing workloads must all be considered when using AI in government. One of the difficulties governments today face is the rise in citizen expectations. Public services are strained due to rapid urbanization, aging populations, and challenging socioeconomic issues.
The government must also find both efficient and sustainable solutions to keep budgets low in the face of low economic growth. Governments can use the technologies and abilities of artificial intelligence to address these problems. To integrate AI into their operations, governments must create a strategy, governance framework, and change management strategy. To make the most of AI’s advantages and minimize some of the risks frequently encountered in the public sector.
Policies and Initiatives for Regulating AI and Automation
Artificial intelligence regulation involves the establishment of public policies and legislation to promote and regulate AI. Currently, regulation is viewed as necessary to foster AI and manage associated risks. The fundamental approach to regulation concentrates on the dangers and prejudices of the underlying technology of AI.
India has adopted a distinctive strategy for its national AI program by emphasizing how AI can be used to promote social inclusion in addition to economic growth. India’s AI strategy document was released by the NITI Aayog on June 4, 2018. In August 2017, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry established an AI Task Force. It aimed to embed artificial intelligence into our economic, political, and legal processes so that there will be the systemic capability to make India a leading AI economy.
On May 30, 2020, the Indian government launched the www.ai.gov.in National Artificial Intelligence Portal. The portal will serve as a one-stop social channel for developments in AI-related fields in India and for exchanging resources like articles, start-ups, investment funds, and educational institutions. Additionally, documents, case studies, research reports, etc., will be shared on the portal. It also includes a section on education and novel AI-related job roles.
The Role of Government Agencies in Regulating AI and Automation
AI can enhance the planning and provision of essential governmental services in sectors like health, social care, and emergency services. Local law enforcement can use pattern recognition to identify unusual behavior in specific actors or anticipate risky crowd behavior. AI could foresee cyberattacks by creating interactive threat models from the abundant, constantly changing data from various sources. It might help analyze user behavior and address insider threats.
Challenges and Limitations of Government Regulation of AI and Automation
AI has significant ethical repercussions, and these implications are only apparent once AI is used because it creates its own learning. Artificial intelligence has a long history of unethical transgressions, including bias, violations of privacy, and unquestionable decisions made by AI.
AI has enormous potential in the economy, society, medicine, security, and environment. AI systems have the potential to accelerate production times, democratize service design, lower energy consumption, and increase national output. Long-term, we can envision AI enabling innovations in medicine, fundamental and applied science, complex system management, and the development of previously unimagined goods and services.
Enabling flourishing research and development programs for useful AI is also fraught with many difficulties. Many labor forces will suffer due to India’s industries implementing AI solutions. Numerous industries are already moving to industrialized nations due to the decline in the cost of intelligent automation. AI systems, from law enforcement to advertising, are used in various industries and can generate valuable insights, classifications, and categorizations. Data privacy is a concern with AI system applications. Additionally, there is more pressure on AI institutions and businesses to be honest, and forthcoming about their data and privacy practices.
Future Directions for Government Regulation of AI and Automation
State and local officials can take a number of actions to address some of the common worries about AI. Developing clear AI standards and guidelines can greatly enhance their effectiveness. Rulers can implement procedures to guarantee that AI systems are applied ethically and openly. To ensure compliance with standards and regulations, it may be necessary to create independent agencies or committees to monitor AI’s use. The opinions of experts and stakeholders, including ethicists, researchers, and the general public, should be sought by leaders. In addition to educating the public about AI’s potential benefits and risks, leaders can lead initiatives to make artificial intelligence more accessible.
