A Centre of Excellence for artificial intelligence is in the works in India, to work with the oncoming internet revolution that will definitely be spurred by the advent of 5G. Media reports have stated that this establishment will be set up by National Informatics Center (NIC), under the Ministry of Electronics and IT in New Delhi.
A senior ministry official told a leading daily that the aim of the centre of excellence will be to have robust security solutions for cyberspace as India moves towards a digital society. Reportedly, the CoE will coordinate with other Union ministries to offer solutions regarding relevant sectors.
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The NIC confirmed the news on their official Twitter handle, which was then re-tweeted by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. They said, “NIC to set up Center for Excellence in AI, under @GoI_MeitY. The plan will be to have robust security solutions for cyberspace as India moves towards a digital society. The process of establishing a centre of excellence for data analytics is also underway by NIC.”
#NIC to set up Center for Excellence in AI, under @GoI_MeitY, to have robust security solutions for cyberspace as #India moves towards a digital society.
Process of establishing a centre of excellence for Data Analytics is also underway by #NIC. https://t.co/9Ov1Vjx7An
— NIC (@NICMeity) September 6, 2018
Earlier this February, the IT ministry has announced that they were to set up four committees to encourage research related to AI. These committees were to be headed by directors of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Nasscom and eminent researchers.
In July this year, the NITI Aayog had unveiled a discussion paper which addressed the national strategy on AI and other emerging technologies in India. The government think tank identified five sectors to focus its efforts towards implementation of AI to serve societal needs. The five sectors are healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure, and smart mobility and transportation.
The BJP-led government has put enough importance towards new technologies starting various new programmes and setting up an AI Task Force to prepare India for the upcoming Industrial Revolution 4.0. Through a series of events and speeches from earlier this year, PM Modi is seen to have been deliberately showcasing India as well as his government as technologically forward.
