AI plays critical role in ensuring sound external & internal security

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making deep inroads into our daily lives. From healthcare to education to defence technology, AI-powered applications are bringing in deep changes to established ways. No wonder, industry leaders are terming AI as a transformative technology, which is making more than incremental changes to our daily lives. Especially, AI is transforming internal and external security of many countries. Importantly, India is leveraging AI in many defence and internal security-related measures. Recent armed conflict against Pakistan saw successful execution of AI technology by Indian armed forces. AI applications have been deeply integrated across multiple defence platforms of India including drones, missiles, radars and satellite technology. Such technological edge gave India a clear advantage over its adversary. Globally, key defence powers including the US, China, Russia, Germany, France, UK and others are fast integrating AI and other emerging technologies into their defence platforms. Therefore, it becomes imperative for India to deploy AI applications at scale for robust external security. Hearteningly, India is making rapid strides in integrating emerging technology applications into its defence systems. As part its initiative, Indian government is actively promoting participation of startup ecosystem. From design of defence platforms to drones to missile technology, Indian government is seeking the help of startups for agile defence and offence postures. These steps will definitely help Indian armed forces to have a clear edge in terms of technology applications.

Not only for external security, AI technology is fast being deployed in maintaining internal security of the country. In recent anti-naxalism fight, Indian security agencies have successfully deployed AI technology. AI, ML and data analytics are being integrated for surveillance purposes. Notably, surveillance is the most critical aspect of internal security. To have an eye on divisive forces to check the smuggling of drugs and counterfeit currencies, Indian agencies are deploying AI at scale. Moreover, AI is being used in identification of citizens. These are being used to put a check on nefarious activities. Airport security, security at vital installations like energy, port, government establishment are witnessing multiple such uses. In short, AI is becoming all prevalent across the country.

Against this backdrop, it is necessary that Indian government should increase efforts to promote participation of startups across the value chain. A PLI (production-linked incentive) scheme for defence sector, promoting startups in particular can go a long way in making India self-reliant in defence technologies. Currently, despite a huge technology talent base, the country is dependent on various nations for critical defence technologies. This gap can be filled by creating a defence-tech base in India through active participation of deeptech startups and Indian IT services companies. Moreover, engagement with academia should be increased. In most western nations, key defence tech applications have come out of university labs. In this regard, IITs, IIITs, IISC and other key academic institutions should be leveraged for making India a power house in terms of key defence-tech firms. As India becomes the 4th largest economy in the world, risks to its internal and external security issues should be addressed by leveraging technology.