24 October 2024

MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

 Q1. Discuss the moral and ethical concerns that the increasing usage of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought forth. What steps must be taken to address these problems?

 GS III – Science and Technology

Introduction:

• A collection of various technologies collectively known as artificial intelligence must function in harmony for computers to feel, grasp, act, and learn with intelligence levels comparable to that of humans. Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing quickly, which has created a lot of opportunities, such as bettering healthcare diagnosis, facilitating human relationships through social media, boosting intelligent decision-making, resolving complex problems, and lowering labour costs by automating jobs.

However, these swift changes brought on by the widespread use of AI technology also raise significant moral and ethical issues, such as:   

• Artificial intelligence is capable of processing information far more quickly and effectively than humans, yet it can’t always be trusted to be fair and unbiased due to inherent biases. Bias is inherent when utilising AI systems for assessments since their functionality and design reflect the values of their inventor.
• Discrimination: Biases in AI systems may result in prejudice against particular individuals or groups. Discriminatory analytics can damage a group’s autonomy and participation in society by fostering stigmatisation and self-fulfilling prophecies.
• Inequality: The potential for artificial intelligence to exacerbate the divide between wealthy and developing nations by boosting investment in affluent economies where automation is already well-established.
• The application of artificial intelligence in biometrics and facial recognition introduces risks related to surveillance and data privacy. These systems are also not usually correct. For instance, a U.S.-developed AI system was unable to identify African Americans’ faces with the same level of accuracy as it did Americans of other races.
• Openness and accountability: As artificial technologies are employed more frequently, questions about openness and accountability increasingly surface.

To solve the aforementioned issues, the following steps can be taken:

• The creation of an ethical code of behaviour is the first step towards developing ethical AI. This code should define the values and guiding principles of the AI system. During the development of the code, involved parties including staff members, clients, and industry experts should be consulted.
• Do no damage and proportionality: Only use AI systems as necessary to achieve legitimate goals, and no more. Risk assessment should be utilised to prevent any harm that could result from such usage.
• Right to privacy and data protection: Privacy must be maintained and safeguarded throughout the AI lifecycle. Additionally, frameworks for proper data protection should be put in place.
• It is crucial to maintain diversity and inclusivity in the data used to train the AI system to avoid prejudices being perpetuated. Gender, colour, ethnicity, and other factors should all be included in the AI data.
• Awareness & Literacy: To increase the public’s understanding of AI and data, a variety of strategies should be implemented, including open and accessible education, civic engagement, the development of digital skills, and training in AI ethics.
• Collaboration between various parties and adaptive governance: National sovereignty and international law must be respected when using data. Additionally, for inclusive approaches to AI governance, a wide range of stakeholders must be involved.
• We may acknowledge that AI systems may have unexpected consequences that are damaging to individuals or communities if we view them from the standpoint of human rights. As a result, human rights must be considered when developing and deploying AI systems.
• Artificial intelligence is currently the field where the ethical compass is most crucial. These technologies are altering the way we work, live, and interact. Given how frequently AI is used, it is imperative that we comprehend the moral underpinnings of each AI system that we use or that is used against us. An ethical foundation based on both teleological and deontological perspectives will lead to more confidence in AI systems.

Q2. Critically analyse the claim, “by enhancing domestic manufacturing, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is essential for achieving the vision of making India a $5 trillion economy.”

 GS II – Government Policies and Interventions

Introduction:

• The government created the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to boost local manufacturing and exports and to position India as a player on the global stage. By increasing domestic production, reducing imports, and improving the cost-effectiveness of domestic products, both domestic and international enterprises can benefit financially from the PLI plan. 14 areas that are essential to India’s economic development both strategically and economically are the focus of the initiative right now.

The importance of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) plan for achieving the objective of making India a $5 trillion economy is demonstrated by the following:

• The PLI scheme will give India the push it needs to shift large industrial capacity there, providing huge economies of scale that will further advance the nation’s supply chain ecosystem. For instance, Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron, three important smartphone makers, moved their suppliers to India as a result of the PLI Scheme. As a result, India is now producing premium high-end phones.
• The establishment of regional manufacturing facilities in a variety of industries can aid in job growth. For instance, the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has so far created more than three lakh employment, according to data from Niti Aayog.
• The PLI initiative has the ability to dramatically benefit the MSMEs as well as the broader manufacturing environment. It supports the MSME environment. The plan will encourage easily available technological advancements that will boost their ability to compete globally. Additionally, it strengthens their relationships with more powerful rivals while enhancing their capacity for innovation.
• Import substitution: The strategy encourages domestic enterprises to rely less on imports by providing financial incentives. Local enterprises will be urged to produce previously imported goods in order to prevent import substitution. For instance, the 60% import substitution achieved in the telecom sector has allowed India to almost completely achieve self-sufficiency in antennas, GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network), and CPE (Customer Premises Equipment).
• Attracting investments: The Economic Survey claims that the PLI plan for large-scale electronics manufacturing has attracted an investment of INR 4,784 crore and produced a total of INR 2.04 lakh crore. Additionally, thanks to the PLI Schemes, FDI into the industrial sector surged dramatically by 76% in FY 2021–22.
• Increasing production levels will enable us to keep up with expanding consumer demand. This is particularly true for telecom and networking devices, where the program’s quick response helps hasten India’s adoption of 4G and 5G technologies.
• Export expansion: Thanks to PLI Schemes, India now exports high-value goods like electronics and telecommunications products, processed food products, etc. instead of just conventional commodities. As an illustration, the strategy helped exports of mobile phones jump from $300 million in FY2018 to an astonishing $11 billion in FY23. PLI programmes will thereby increase exports, hence lowering trade imbalances.
• Through the PLI programme, the government is encouraging companies to spend money on R&D, technology transfer, and innovation in order to increase their manufacturing capabilities.
• A boost for the agriculture industry: The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Food Processing Industry would support the growth of top-tier food producers and assist in establishing Indian food brands in international markets. Furthermore, it will increase the number of jobs that are available off farms, provide fair prices for agricultural products, and increase farmers’ earnings.
• The PLI plan is changing the way many important and developing enterprises do business. Exports, output, and general economic growth have all greatly boosted thanks to the initiative. In order to create “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and achieve the target of a “$5 trillion economy” in the post-pandemic era, PLI is proving to be a crucial catalyst.