KERALA, INDIA - When discussing the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and government, people’s instincts often lead them to focus on regulation and governance. This perspective is reinforced by global efforts that consistently occupy the headlines - such as the European Union’s AI Act, the Biden executive order in the United States, and the United Kingdom’s AI Safety Summit. This raises a fundamental question: Should the government's role in the realm of AI be that of a referee in a football match, intervening only when something goes awry and brandishing only yellow cards as needed? Or should it adopt a laissez-faire approach, merely observing until something goes wrong? Alternatively, should the government actively wield AI as a tool for the welfare and safety of its citizens - even at the expense of innovation - and enact laws and regulations to ensure this, as seen in cases related to biosecurity? 

This article will explore a proactive and solution-oriented role for governments in using AI to address socioeconomic challenges. As the world’s most populous country, India's potential to lead in this domain - particularly among developing countries - is also highlighted here.

Indian context

India, the world's largest democracy and home to one of its oldest civilizations, boasts diverse geography, demographics, and - notably - inequality. In recent years, the Indian government has harnessed modern digital tech as a potent tool to tackle these challenges. Prime examples include the Unified Payments Interface platform, which revolutionized payments in India, and the CoWIN platform, which efficiently managed the vaccination of over 1 billion people during the pandemic. AI is therefore viewed in India as the next-level solution that will bridge socioeconomic gaps.

India has embarked on its AI journey with a strong empha