Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI) while cautioning against the risks of its misuse, particularly in the realm of deepfakes, when wielded by individuals lacking adequate expertise.
During an interaction with Microsoft Co-founder and noted philanthropist Bill Gates, Modi addressed the challenges accompanying the vast opportunities presented by AI. Stressing the necessity for comprehensive training in handling AI technologies, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of establishing clear protocols, such as implementing identifiable watermarks on AI-generated content to combat misinformation effectively.
“I have engaged with leading minds on AI and its risks. I suggested that we should start with clear watermarks on AI-generated content to prevent misinformation. Proper sources of AI-generated content should also be mentioned,” PM Modi emphasised.
In a country as expansive and democratically vibrant as India, the proliferation of deepfakes poses a tangible threat, especially in the context of upcoming general elections. Modi articulated concerns over the potential misuse of deepfake technology, illustrating how even his voice could be manipulated to mislead the public, leading to widespread unrest. He emphasized the imperative of formulating stringent guidelines to govern the use of deepfakes.
“Someone can even misuse my voice to deceive people and such a deepfake can trigger widespread uproar. We need to think about creating robust dos and don’ts on deepfakes,” the Prime Minister told Gates.
Furthermore, Modi advocated against relegating AI solely to the role of a "magic tool" or relying on it for tasks such as writing letters. He asserted that leveraging AI for such mundane purposes undermines its true potential. Instead, he advocated for fostering a spirit of competition with AI to drive personal growth and innovation, thereby addressing real-world challenges more effectively.
Recognizing India's linguistic diversity, Modi underscored the importance of advancing AI capabilities to accommodate various languages and dialects, thereby enhancing accessibility and utility for all segments of society. He also revealed his proactive approach to nurturing AI development by consistently presenting novel challenges to AI systems, thereby promoting their evolution and adaptability.
“India has a myriad of languages and dialects and we need to push AI to recognise and adapt to those to help people,” PM Modi told Microsoft Co-founder.
“I constantly present new challenges to AI whenever I get a chance to speak to a machine or a robot, fostering its growth and adaptability,” the Prime Minister said.
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