Context:
India secured the 10th spot globally in 2023 for substantial private investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) as per 2025 Technology and Innovation Report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
About 2025 Technology and Innovation Report
· The 2025 Technology and Innovation Report is a publication released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
· It examines the global state of technological development, innovation, and how countries are adapting to and integrating emerging technologies.
· The report provides insights into various dimensions of technological progress, including AI, automation, digital infrastructure, and frontier technologies, and their economic and social implications.
Key Factors Contributing to India's AI Growth
· Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched initiatives to promote AI research and development, such as the India AI mission, which focuses on application development and encouraging startups and researchers.
· Private Sector Collaborations: Partnerships between private companies and government entities, like the collaboration between Meta and India AI, aim to advance AI research and make open-source AI models available for use by the Indian ecosystem.
· Investment in Emerging Technologies: India has seen significant investments in emerging technologies, including AI, which is expected to add $950 billion to the Indian economy by 2035
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, learn, and perform tasks that typically require human cognitive functions. AI can be classified into two main types:
1. Narrow AI (Weak AI): This type of AI is designed to handle a specific task or a narrow range of tasks. It is the most common form of AI and is used in applications like voice assistants, recommendation systems, and image recognition software.
2. General AI (Strong AI): This type of AI aims to replicate human-level cognitive abilities across a wide range of tasks. It doesn't exist yet, but it's the kind of AI that could theoretically perform any intellectual task a human being can do, with the ability to learn and apply knowledge across different domains.
About UNCTAD:
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, UNCTAD supports developing countries by helping them access the benefits of a globalized economy in a fair and effective manner.
Conclusion
The 2025 Technology and Innovation Report provides valuable insights into the state of global innovation and highlights the urgent need for policies that not only foster technological advancements but also ensure that these developments benefit society as a whole, helping to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient global economy.
