How India Can Harness AI’s Potential

Technology has always been a cornerstone of human civilisation, shaping the development of societies, the growth of economies and the adaptation of political structures. From the invention of the wheel to the advent of the internet age, technological advancements have played a vital role in determining the progress of nations. In the modern era, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the next transformative force, promising unprecedented opportunities but also posing profound ethical, economic and political concerns.

As India navigates its AI revolution, the intersection of technology with its socio-political landscape becomes a crucial point of discussion. Even though a lot of its progress could seem like a quiet revolution, AI's repercussions are undoubtedly harsh. India is at the centre of attention in the world, with the world's largest population and one of the fastest growing AI development marketplaces.

Considering the current historical circumstances, it is imperative that India limit the advancement of technology by incorporating principles, robust laws and social policies to guide the future of the nation. AI has the potential to revolutionise our world, offering better governance, stronger economies, improved education, advanced healthcare, greater accessibility and smarter infrastructure. However, it also comes with challenges like spreading misinformation, violating privacy, causing bias and discrimination, lack of accountability and even displacing jobs. The key question is: How can India harness the power of AI without deepening inequalities or compromising ethical values?

The Indian government has recognised AI's potential to lead to new ideas and growth. Digital India and the NITI Aayog National AI Strategy demonstrate the government's desire to employ AI to improve governance, public services and economic growth. The commitment of significant funds for AI-related research, education and workforce development in the 2025 Union Budget has only fuelled such hopes. 

For instance, the IndiaAI Mission has received Rs 2,000 crore and a Centre of Excellence in AI for Education has been allocated Rs 500 crore. Projects like this indicate a will to establish a sizeable and dynamic AI ecosystem in India. On the other hand, such initiatives can also put the country in a position where it is exposed to the ethical, social and economic complications that might stem from the rapid development of new technology.

AI is already driving a transformation in a variety of industries in India, with healthcare being one of the most crucial. From revolutionising diagnostic reports to optimising patient management, AI is addressing major challenges in the sector. This is highly beneficial in urban areas, but needs broader implementation in rural India.

In agriculture, AI is helping farmers optimise soil quality, manage pests and conserve resources, particularly in drought-prone regions where traditional methods have struggled. Similarly, in education, AI-powered personalised platforms are breaking barriers by tailoring content to individual students. In the financial sector, AI-driven fintech platforms like Paytm and PhonePe are promoting financial inclusion, even for unbanked populations.

Governance is also evolving with AI's help – public services are becoming more efficient and tools like facial recognition have strengthened public safety, as demonstrated by Delhi Police's success in locating missing children. However, these advancements come with challenges such as high costs, data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias and scalability issues. To ensure equitable access across all sectors, India needs robust regulations and ethical implementation practices.

Artificial intelligence and misinformation

Misinformation is one of the most serious concerns regarding AI. India has more than 900 million internet users, so it is easy to spread false information quickly. Communally charged information is often wrongfully filtered for maximum engagement by AI systems. AI generated deep fake posts and videos are widely circulated when any general or state assembly election comes. AI-modified videos from other countries are falsely circulated as Indian videos to spread political propaganda and create unrest in the society. Such events require robust rules and stronger use of AI when verifying facts.

AI-powered conversational tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Bard and Grok bring both opportunities and challenges for democracy. These tools, designed to assist with content creation and answering questions, rely on large datasets for training. While they can improve access to information, efficiency and public engagement, they can also spread misinformation if trained on biased or unreliable data. This could lead to false narratives, harm political discussions and even impact election outcomes. For instance, AI chatbots might create misleading content or manipulate behaviour for large-scale disinformation campaigns.

Without proper content moderation and transparency in the data they are trained on, these tools risk becoming sources of propaganda. On the flip side, AI has the potential to strengthen democracy by enabling fact-checking, fostering informed discussions on social media and educating citizens on complex policies. To ensure AI supports democracy rather than undermines it, civil society and social media platforms must work together to create strong regulations and frameworks that promote accountability and trust.

AI's impact on jobs

AI is reshaping the economy, especially when it comes to jobs across various sectors. Automation powered by AI and robotics is boosting efficiency in industries like finance, customer service and manufacturing, but it’s also creating challenges for workers, particularly those with limited skills.

Robots have replaced many manufacturing jobs and AI chatbots are now handling customer support roles in banking, e-commerce, healthcare, telecommunications, tourism and even media. In the media industry, AI is taking over tasks like content creation, editing and proofreading, affecting writers and editors. While these advancements streamline processes and transform industries, they also raise concerns about job displacement. To adapt to this shift, re-skilling workers is essential to ensure they can thrive in the evolving job market.

The use of AI in law enforcement raises complex moral concerns. While facial recognition offers benefits for policing, it also raises issues of bias and surveillance. Research shows that these systems often misidentify marginalised groups due to biases in training data related to race, gender, and ethnicity. Addressing these challenges requires careful oversight. Those responsible for preventing AI from worsening inequalities must be held accountable. Law enforcement AI should be built on principles of transparency, integrity and accountability.

India is working to strike a balance between advancing AI and ensuring it is used responsibly. Building a regulatory system that encourages innovation while preventing misuse is key. This requires collaboration between academia, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Promising initiatives like the India AI Mission highlight the potential, but it’s equally important to focus on diversity, equality, and investing in local AI research to address India’s unique challenges and reduce dependency on foreign technology. The future depends on the decisions made today: Will AI divide society further or promote equality, empowerment, and progress? By raising public awareness, prioritising societal values and creating inclusive policies, India can ensure that AI uplifts its people while preserving social harmony and democratic principles. Striking the right balance, with strong regulations and sustainable innovation, will allow India to harness AI’s transformative potential while safeguarding its democracy and cultural heritage.

Majid Majaz is an academician and AI researcher.

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