EY India Expert Advocates for Public Data Release to Strengthen India's Sovereign AI Capabilities
Ahead of the upcoming Union Budget, Rajnish Gupta, Partner with EY India's Tax and Economic Policy Group, has called for the government to release more public data to support India's push for sovereign artificial intelligence. He emphasized that this move is crucial for building AI models that accurately reflect the country's rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
Addressing Western Bias in Global AI Models
Gupta pointed out that most global large language models are predominantly trained on data from the United States and Europe, resulting in a significant western bias. This bias often overlooks India's unique social and cultural context, leading to AI systems that fail to capture the nuances of Indian society. He argued that making government-held data widely available would empower domestic developers to create AI systems that are deeply rooted in Indian realities.
In an interview with PTI, Gupta stated, "One of the big things which we could do a little more in India is make a lot of data available publicly. Most of the answers that you get are very western. They're very much from a US or a European standpoint." He highlighted that greater public access to data would help counter this imbalance and foster more inclusive AI development.
Leveraging India's Diversity for AI Innovation
Emphasizing India's vast diversity, Gupta added, "We have our own culture. We have our own languages, our own nuances. A lot of this data can be generated by the government and made available to the people who are developing LLMs." He drew parallels with India's successful digital initiatives, such as Aadhaar and UPI, suggesting that the country could democratize AI by treating data and computing infrastructure as public goods.
While acknowledging that public investment should not stifle innovation, Gupta stressed its importance in laying a strong foundation for the AI ecosystem. He believes that a robust data infrastructure will enable local innovators to build models that are culturally relevant and tailored to India's specific needs.
Caution Against Heavy Regulation
At the same time, Gupta cautioned against imposing heavy regulations on the AI sector. He urged the government to maintain a light-touch approach, praising India for not adopting the European Union's stringent AI regulatory framework. According to him, minimal interference will allow local innovators to experiment freely and develop models that are both innovative and culturally appropriate.
Gupta remarked, "Don't tinker with this. If you don't license, don't create frictions, don't introduce any new taxes and just let them operate, then I think somebody sitting over here will create something." This approach, he argued, will foster a conducive environment for AI development while ensuring that regulations do not hinder progress.
As India prepares for the Union Budget, Gupta's insights highlight the importance of strategic data policies in achieving sovereign AI goals. By releasing public data and adopting a balanced regulatory stance, the government can support the growth of an AI ecosystem that is both innovative and reflective of India's diverse heritage.
