Rajnath Singh launched 75 newly-developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) products/technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organised by Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on July 11, 2022. India needs to work on the artificial intelligence mechanism "extremely carefully" and it must be ready to face legal, ethical, political and economic upheaval that may follow due to this technology, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. 

"We have to use artificial intelligence (AI) for humanity's progress and peace. It should not be the case that a country or a group of countries establish their dominance on this technology -- just like nuclear power -- and the remaining countries are not able to enjoy the fruits of this technology," he mentioned.

The products were launched as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations to mark 75 years of the country’s independence.

The ministry said three AI products developed by defence public sector undertakings have dual-use applications, including AI-enabled voice transcription/analysis software developed by Bharat Electronics Limited and a driver fatigue monitoring system developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited.

Three AI products developed by the DPSUs have dual-use applications and good market potential, namely AI-enabled Voice Transcription/Analysis software developed by Bharat Electronics Limited; Driver Fatigue Monitoring System developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited and AI-enabled evaluation of Welding defects in X-rays of Non-destructive Testing developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers were screened during the event. These products are expected to open up new business avenues for the Defence PSUs.

He noted that AI's ethics and dangers must be properly thought out.

"We cannot stop the progress of artificial intelligence and we should not try to stop its progress. But we need to be careful about it," he mentioned.

When a new technology brings a huge change, its transition period is also as huge and serious, he said. "Since AI is a technology that can bring a massive change, we must be ready to face the legal, ethical, political and economic upheaval that may follow," Singh noted.

"We need to work on AI extremely carefully so that this (technology) does not go out of our control in the coming times," he added.

Singh released the physical as well as e-version of a book comprising the details of the 75 products, showcasing the collective efforts of the services, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), DPSUs, start-ups and the private industry in the last four years.

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