10th September, 2024
Topic: 60 countries endorse ‘blueprint’ for AI use in military
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Science & Technology
Source: Reuters
Context
In Seoul, South Korea, the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit has commenced.
About
- Developing international standards for AI’s military use is a component of the new global diplomacy.
- The summit is being co-hosted by Kenya, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
- The summit has already happened twice; the first time was in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2023.
- The summit’s three main goals are to:
– recognize the effects of military AI on international peace and security,
– establish new guidelines for the application of AI to military operations, and - create concepts for the long-term worldwide regulation of AI in the armed forces.
Artificial Intelligence
- The broad field of computer science known as artificial intelligence (AI) is concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
- Machines with artificial intelligence are able to mimic or even surpass human mental capacities.
- And as generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard proliferate and self-driving cars become more common, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more and more integrated into daily life and is a field in which every industry is investing.
AI Use in Military Applications
- Leading militaries have long employed AI for logistical planning and inventory management, but in recent years, the field has seen a notable increase in the application of AI for intelligence, surveillance, and battlefield reconnaissance.
- Large armed forces believe artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the gathering, combining, and evaluation of copious amounts of battlefield data.
- Numerous critics have cautioned that these ostensible benefits of artificial intelligence in combat may be dangerous and deceptive.
- One of the topics being discussed under the REAIM process is the spread of the so-called AI decision-making support systems (AI-DSS) and their implications.
Need for Regulation
- There had been calls for control over these weapons because of the fear that algorithms and computers would take over military operations.
- One main goal of this discussion has been to keep people involved in the decision-making process when it comes to the use of force.
- Since 2019, the United Nations in Geneva has convened a group of governmental experts to discuss issues pertaining to lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS).
- The REAIM process acknowledged that artificial intelligence (AI) systems are finding more and more uses in warfare, which expanded the debate beyond “killer robots” to a wider range of topics.
Responsible use of AI in military affairs
- A national, bilateral, plurilateral, and multilateral initiative to promote responsible AI is the REAIM process.
- The US has pushed for the adoption of comparable standards by its NATO allies.
- NATO unveiled a set of guidelines for its forces as well as six principles for the responsible military application of AI in its 2021 strategy.
- AI will be used in combat more often than not; this is consistent with the historical trend that all new technologies will eventually be used in some capacity for military purposes.
- This is acknowledged by the REAIM process, and considering the potentially disastrous results from such use, the idea is to develop an agreed set of norms.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/reaim-summit-ai-war-weapons-9556525/
Mains Model Questions
Q. Discuss about how India’s socioeconomic needs can be met by artificial intelligence.
Introduction:
The ability of machines to carry out cognitive functions like thinking, seeing, learning, solving problems, and making decisions is referred to as artificial intelligence (AI).
India has a big part in the AI revolution since it has the second-largest population in the world and the fastest-growing economy. By 2035, artificial intelligence is predicted by experts to boost the US economy by at least $1 trillion.
Body:
- By enhancing labour productivity and innovation, stimulating growth through intelligent automation, fostering human-machine collaboration, and disseminating innovation, AI can contribute to reaching the trillion-dollar goal.
- A few of these are already in use, such as smart factories, where people and machines collaborate to produce better results.
- In the insurance industry, robotics handles monotonous work, freeing up human labor for more intricate, decision-making processes and client support.
- Innovation spillovers also generate new opportunities. For example, the expansion of Uber and Ola is being propelled by Google Maps, revolutionizing personal transportation and generating jobs for a significant number of people.
- Our farmers’ lives may be improved by AI when combined with robotics, Big Data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and genomics.
– Precision farming, made possible by these technologies, has been shown throughout the world to increase crop yields, lower farmers’ costs, and provide solutions for long-standing problems like unpredictable weather, unpredictable soil conditions, and rising farm labor costs.
Conclusion:
It is imperative that we provide our people with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to handle the large number of new jobs that will be created.
We must also hold AI accountable. In order to create and use intelligent machines, businesses and the government must collaborate to create a code of ethics that outlines concrete guidelines and best practices.
Topic: Challenges to road safety in India
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Governance
Source: The Hindu
Context
Recently, the TRIP Center at IIT Delhi produced the “India Status Report on Road Safety 2024.”
About the report
- It draws attention to India’s sluggish progress in lowering the death toll from traffic accidents and underscores the connection between road development, mobility, and the requirement for focused accident mitigation measures.
- Using information from First Information Reports (FIRs) from six States and audits of State adherence to Supreme Court guidelines on road safety governance, it examined road safety in India.
Principal FindingsState-wise: It exposed differences in the death rates from traffic accidents between States.
– West Bengal and Bihar have lower death rates than Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
– Of all traffic fatalities, nearly half occur in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
- Vulnerable group: The most frequent victims of traffic accidents are motorized two-wheeler riders, cyclists, and pedestrians, while trucks account for the majority of vehicles that collide with them.
- Worldwide Comparison: India performs noticeably worse on road safety than industrialized nations like Sweden.
Challenges
- The nation’s current data systems for road safety are insufficient.
- Very few States have audited their State Highways, and only eight States have audited more than half of their National Highway lengths.
- Inadequate national crash-level data and dependence on combined police records restrict the efficaciousness of analysis and intervention.
- Particularly in rural areas, helmet usage is low, and trauma care facilities are insufficient.
- Road traffic injuries are a serious public health concern that have not resulted in many fewer fatalities.
- The majority of Indian states are unlikely to achieve the 2030 target set by the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety to halve traffic fatalities.
Suggestions:
- Just like other essential survival skills, road safety education is essential.
- The expansion of road safety initiatives must be given top priority by the federal and state governments.
- There should be a national database for fatal collisions.
- Access to this system by the general public will enhance knowledge of particular risks to drivers and the efficacy of various state-implemented interventions.
- Customized approaches are necessary to handle the distinct road safety issues that every State faces.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. Examine the different aspects that need to be taken into account when enhancing traffic safety. Investigate further the government programs designed to address and lessen the problems brought on by traffic accidents.
Introduction:
Road safety is a major concern for development and public health worldwide, but it is especially so in India, where the country has some of the highest rates of traffic accidents worldwide. A multifaceted strategy is needed to strengthen road safety, addressing issues with infrastructure, behavior, vehicle safety, and emergency response systems.
Body:
Aspects to Take into Account for Increasing Traffic Safety:
- Improvements to the infrastructure include having properly lit roads, appropriate signage, pedestrian facilities, and well-maintained roads. It is essential to implement road designs that lower the risk of collisions.
- Encouraging the production and use of automobiles with safety features like airbags, ABS, and compliance with emission regulations are known as vehicle safety standards.
- Education and Awareness: Organizing public awareness campaigns regarding driving etiquette, road safety, and the repercussions of reckless driving.
- Policies Driven by Data: identifying accident-prone locations with data analytics and putting targeted interventions in place.
- Emergency Response Systems: bolstering the emergency medical services to enable prompt accident response and lower death toll.
Governmental Programs:
- The National Road Safety Policy prioritizes raising public awareness, creating databases of road safety data, and supporting the development of safer road infrastructure.
- The 2019 Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act: Increased fines for moving infractions, rules pertaining to electronic surveillance, and safeguards for those who assist the stranger.
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is taking steps to improve road safety, including implementing advanced traffic management systems and conducting audits.
- Smart City Projects: Improving road safety through urban planning and the integration of intelligent traffic management systems.
- Working together with corporations and NGOs: collaborating with the public and private sectors on awareness- and education-raising projects.
Conclusion: Increasing road safety is a multifaceted endeavor that calls for cooperation from the public and commercial sectors, as well as from civil society and individual citizens. Even though a number of initiatives have made significant progress, ongoing assessment and strategy modification are required to stay up with shifting conditions and emerging technologies. To drastically lower traffic accidents and fatalities in India, a persistent focus on engineering, emergency care, enforcement, and education is necessary.
Topic: India-UAE Civil Nuclear Pact
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – International Relations
Source: Swarajya
Context
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation was signed by India and the UAE.
About
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Arab Emirates reached an agreement in 2015 to collaborate on the “peaceful use of nuclear energy,” encompassing fields such as “safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology.”
- The agreement is a component of the UAE’s plan to increase its financial involvement in the nuclear energy industry.
- LNG Provision: In addition to the agreement on nuclear cooperation, the parties signed an agreement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the long-term supply of LNG.
The Civil Nuclear Cooperation of India Cooperation between nations or organizations to develop and apply nuclear technology for peaceful ends is known as “civil nuclear cooperation.”
The Civil Nuclear Cooperation of India
- Cooperation between nations or organizations to develop and apply nuclear technology for peaceful ends is known as “civil nuclear cooperation.”
- The goal of India’s civil nuclear program is to use nuclear energy for peaceful uses, mainly the production of electricity, among other things.
- India collaborates on nuclear projects with the US, Japan, France, and Russia.
Related Agreements
- India-US Nuclear Agreement (2005): The agreement played a key role in expanding India’s access to international nuclear markets.
2008 saw the signing of the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement between the United States and India, which gave India access to foreign fuel and civilian nuclear technology. - According to this agreement, India had to keep its nuclear facilities separate for military and civilian use, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) providing safeguards for the civilian facilities.
Important Projects and Reactors:
- India’s major nuclear power plants are in Rajasthan, Kudankulam, and Tarapur.
- Fast Breeder Reactors: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), which use plutonium to produce more fuel than they consume, are among the advanced nuclear reactors that India is developing.
- Nuclear Reactors Using Thorium: India’s long-term goal is to use its plentiful thorium resources in reactors.
As part of its three-stage nuclear program, the nation is developing thorium-based reactors, such as the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).
A brief synopsis of India-UAE relations
- Political: In 1972, diplomatic ties were established between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Multilateral Cooperation: The UAE and India are currently involved in a number of plurilateral platforms, including the India-Israel-UAE-USA I2U2 Trilateral and the UAE-France-India UFI Trilateral. Additionally, the UAE was invited to the G-20 Summit as a guest country.
- India’s economy and commerce: Trade with the UAE increased from US$ 180 million annually in the 1970s to US$ 84.84 billion in the current year, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner for 2021–2022, behind the US and China.
- Defense cooperation: signed an Agreement on Defense Cooperation in 2003, it became operative in 2004 and is managed by a Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) at the Ministry level.
- Space Cooperation: In 2016, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) pertaining to their joint exploration and peaceful use of space.
- Indian Community: With 3.5 million expatriates, the Indian community is the largest ethnic group in the United Arab Emirates, making up roughly 35% of the total population.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. Discuss about the strategic significance of the India-UAE alliance in terms of energy cooperation and regional security. In what ways do the bilateral defense and energy accords bolster India’s interests within the Gulf region?
Introduction:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Arab Emirates reached an agreement in 2015 to collaborate on the “peaceful use of nuclear energy,” encompassing fields such as “safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology.” The agreement is a component of the UAE’s plan to increase its financial involvement in the nuclear energy industry.
Body:
Strategic Significance
- Regional security: Terrorism and extremism pose a threat to both the UAE and India. By working together to share intelligence, provide training, and develop capacity, they are able to counteract these threats and support regional stability. The Indian Ocean is essential to commerce and the supply of energy. Safer maritime routes are guaranteed by patrolling, information sharing, and cooperative exercises, which is advantageous to both nations and their allies.
- Collaboration in Energy: India gets a large amount of its energy needs from the UAE, which is a major supplier of gas and oil to the country. Concerns about energy security are lessened by this dependable and steady collaboration.
- Regional Connectivity: Both countries belong to a number of significant alliances, including the I2U2 and the West Asian Quad, which also includes the UAE, Israel, the US, and India. As a possible competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the UAE is also a part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), an infrastructure project that aims to connect India to Europe across the Arabian Peninsula.
Strengthening of India’s Concerns
- Financial Gains: Both countries benefit from economic growth and job opportunities brought about by strong trade and investment ties. Regional connectivity is improved by increased trade volume and infrastructure development. With a growth in bilateral trade to $85 billion in 2022–2023, India now ranks second in terms of export destinations and the UAE as its third-largest trading partner.
- Strategic Influence: By fostering regional stability and furthering its strategic objectives, this alliance enables India to take a more active part in determining the Gulf region’s future.
- Energy security: As the only country in the region with strategic oil reserves kept in India, the UAE is also India’s reliable ally in this regard.
Conclusion: A vital component of Gulf energy cooperation and regional security is the India-UAE partnership. It advances shared objectives, strengthens India’s geopolitical clout, and makes the area more secure and prosperous. Despite the difficulties, keeping the lines of communication open, coordinating interests, and resolving issues will guarantee that this partnership plays a crucial role in determining the Gulf’s future.
Topic: India-US Partnership to explore Semiconductors
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Economy
Source: DD News
Context
The US and India have announced a “new partnership” to investigate supply chain opportunities for semiconductors.
About
- A thorough evaluation of India’s current semiconductor ecosystem, legal system, labor force, and infrastructure requirements will all be included.
- It will support and expand this vital industry by acting as the “foundation for possible future cooperative initiatives.”
- Under the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund established by the CHIPS Act of 2022, the US Department of State will collaborate with the India Semiconductor Mission to investigate prospects for expanding and broadening the worldwide semiconductor ecosystem.
- After decades of companies offshoring the technology, the goal of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act is to bring microchip manufacturing back to the United States.
What is a Semiconductor?
- Materials with electrical characteristics that lie between those of insulators (like rubber) and conductors (like metals) are known as semiconductors.
- Occasionally, they are called microchips or integrated circuits (ICs) because they are composed of pure elements, usually silicon or germanium.
- Small amounts of impurities are added to these pure elements through a process known as doping, which significantly alters the material’s conductivity.
- Uses: There are many different types of electronic devices that use semiconductors.
- Semiconductor materials are essential for transistors, which are basic parts of contemporary electronic circuits.
- They function in everything from cell phones to PCs as switches or amplifiers.
- Moreover, integrated circuits, solar cells, and LEDs all use semiconductors.
The Semiconductor Industry in India
- The Indian semiconductor market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3% to reach US$ 271.9 billion by 2032, from its 2022 valuation of US$ 26.3 billion.
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), mounted piezo-electric crystals, transistors, diodes, and photovoltaic cells—whether or not assembled in modules or panels—are examples of semiconductor devices.
Factors in favour of India
- Skilled Labor: With a record number of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates, India leads the world in providing the skilled labor needed for semiconductor design, manufacturing, research, and development.
- Cost Advantage: Because of its developing ecosystem, efficient supply chain, and cheaper labor costs, India presents a significant cost advantage for the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
- Global Supply Chain Diversification: As a result of this industry relocation, India has emerged as a top choice for back-end assembly and testing operations, with the possibility of front-end manufacturing in the future.
- Policy support: The Indian government has shown great intent to position India as a viable alternative to China in the global semiconductor supply chain by swiftly seizing the opportunity that followed the pandemic and creating a glut in the global semiconductor supply chain.
India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem:
- The country’s efforts to create its own semiconductor ecosystem are pressing due to supply disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions resulting from China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
- The mission of India Semiconductor is to operate as a specialized division of Digital India Corporation.
- Its primary objective is to develop a robust semiconductor and display ecosystem in order to establish India as a major player in the world of electronics design and manufacturing.
- There are multiple programs in place under ISM:
- The government gave its approval for the construction of three semiconductor plants—two in Gujarat and one in Assam—in February 2024.
Conclusion
- More than 60% of the world’s semiconductor supply and 90% of the most sophisticated chips are made in Taiwan.
- Geostrategic and geoeconomic significance derives from the critical role that semiconductor chips play in nearly everything, including computers, cellphones, and missiles.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Mains Model Questions
Q. Discuss about the necessity of advancing India’s semiconductor industry. In what ways will the National Semiconductor Mission contribute to this endeavor?
Introduction:
Materials with conductivity between conductors and insulators are called semiconductors. These could be compounds like gallium, arsenide, or cadmium selenide, or pure elements like silicon or germanium. These fundamental components act as the brains and hearts of all contemporary electronics and information and communications technology devices. All semiconductor chips are currently imported into India, and by 2025, the market is expected to grow from $24 billion to $100 billion.
Body:
Need for India’s semiconductor industry
- The modern information age depends on semiconductor chips. They make it possible for electronic devices to calculate and manage functions that make our lives easier.
- Deeper integration into the global value chain and a multiplier effect across various economic sectors are expected outcomes of the development of the semiconductor and display ecosystem. These chips are made in a small number of nations worldwide. The United States of America, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands dominate the industry.
- All chips are currently imported into India, where the market is expected to grow from $24 billion to $100 billion by 2025. By 2026, India’s domestic semiconductor consumption is predicted to surpass USD 80 billion, and by 2030, it will reach USD 110 billion.
Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM)
- With a total financial investment of Rs76,000 crore, the ISM was introduced in 2021 under the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s (MeitY) auspices. The program’s objective is to give businesses that invest in semiconductors, display manufacturing, and design ecosystems financial support. ISM will act as the central organization for the schemes’ effective, cogent, and seamless execution.
The ISM components that will cause India’s semiconductor production to rise are as follows:
- Aiming to draw significant investments for the establishment of semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities in the nation, the scheme for the establishment of semiconductor fabs in India offers financial assistance to qualified applicants.
- Plan for establishing Display Fabs in India: In order to attract significant investments for the establishment of TFT LCD / AMOLED based display fabrication facilities, it offers financial support to qualified applicants for the establishment of Display Fabs.
- The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme provides financial incentives as well as support for the design infrastructure during different phases of the development and implementation of semiconductor design for systems on chips (SoCs), semiconductor linked design, chipsets, integrated circuits (ICs), systems, and IP cores.
India’s Challenges
- High Output Needed: Large capital expenditures, high risk, protracted payback and gestation periods, and quick technological advancements are all present in this industry.
- Government Fiscal Support is Minimal: The amount of budgetary support that is currently planned is extremely small.
- Lack of Fabrication Capacities: India has some talented chip designers, but the country has never developed a chip fabrication industry. Although the DRDO and ISRO each have their own fabrication facilities, they are mainly used for internal needs.
- Sector with Inefficient Use of Resources: Chip factories are also extremely thirsty, requiring vast amounts of clean water, a very steady power source, a lot of land, and a highly qualified labor force.
Conclusion: India can expand in the semiconductor industry as long as the India Semiconductor Mission provides financial support. The next stage of the digital transformation under Industry 4.0 is being driven by semiconductors and displays, which form the basis of contemporary electronics. India ought to strive to establish itself as a major participant in a reliable, multilateral semiconductor ecosystem that excludes major competitors. Building a plurilateral semiconductor ecosystem requires supportive trade policies.