AI offers many opportunities, also raises concerns on privacy & fairness: CAG Murmu

Press Trust of India

Guwahati: Comptroller and Auditor General Girish Chandra Murmu on Monday stressed on responsible use of artificial intelligence, saying while this emerging technology has the potential to contribute USD 15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, it also raises concerns related to privacy and fairness.

In his opening remarks at the SAI20 Senior Officials' Meeting, the CAG also advocated the need for balance between shortterm growth and long-term sustainability of the blue economy, as the blue economy can make all the difference to planet earth and sustenance thereon.

SAI20 has chosen two themes representing new-age opportunities and concerns -- blue economy (sustainability aspect) and responsible AI (emerging technologies) -- and emphasised the need for gender balance in sustainable growth in blue economy and principles underlying responsible and ethical use of AI. As India holds the presidency of the G20, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is the chair for SAI20 -- the engagement group of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) of the G20.

Recalling that the expert opinion in the recently held seminar organised by SAI India in Lucknow brought out the insight that democratisation of AI technologies is inevitable, Murmu said, "Today we have reached a level where AI could contribute up to USD 15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030".

He said AI has the potential to lead socio-economic growth and it can be used to benefit citizens and the country through targeted and timely intervention. Healthcare, retail, finance, agriculture, food, water resources, environment and pollution, education, special needs, transportation, energy, public safety, disaster management and judiciary are a few of the areas that AI has the potential to solve.

"While AI offers many opportunities, it also raises concerns related to transparency and fairness. "These issues include the impact of AI on privacy, bias and discrimination in AI systems, and inadequate understanding of AI algorithms by the general public," he said.

Murmu further said these problems are complex and interconnected, highlighting the need for responsible AI practices, where the fairness of solutions is ensured. "The cornerstone of responsible AI is ethics. Ethics focussed on safety and reliability, inclusivity and nondiscrimination, equality, privacy and security, protection and reinforcement of positive human values," he added