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23rd August 2025 (14 Topics)

AI as Enabler in India

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Context:

The article discusses India’s policy challenge of ensuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) drives inclusive growth by supporting small businesses and workers rather than displacing them.

AI and Employment Landscape

  • Growing AI Adoption: Reports suggest AI could potentially add over 105 million jobs and displace 3 million by 2030, making its trajectory critical for India’s future workforce.
  • Sectoral Challenges: AI adoption is likely in knowledge-intensive sectors like IT, while low-skilled workers in manufacturing and services face displacement risks.
  • MSME Importance: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), if integrated with AI tools, can become engines of employment-rich growth.

Policy Framework and Digital Infrastructure

  • Digital Public Infrastructure: India’s AI policy should be anchored in open standards, interoperability, and shared infrastructure to avoid monopolistic lock-ins.
  • Innovation Ecosystem: Investments in incubators, accelerators, and mentorship should expand beyond technology hubs to ensure broad-based innovation.
  • Inclusive Scaling: Public programmes such as Digital India, Startup India, and Atal Innovation Mission can align AI deployment with long-term employment generation.

Way Forward for Inclusive AI

  • Worker-Centric Approach: AI adoption must prioritise skilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning initiatives to ensure workers adapt to technological shifts.
  • Support for Entrepreneurs: AI policies should foster entrepreneurship and ensure accessibility of digital tools to small businesses for sustainable competitiveness.
  • Regulatory Safeguards: Clear governance frameworks are needed to prevent monopolies, ensure data transparency, and make AI deployment equitable.

Practice Question

“Artificial Intelligence is often seen as a double-edged sword for India’s economy. Discuss how policy measures can ensure AI acts as an enabler of inclusive growth, particularly for MSMEs and workers.”   (250 words)

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