Artificial Intelligence For A Public Cause

By Kapil Rajyaguru

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the public sector by enabling faster, more efficient, and more effective delivery of services for the people at large. AI can be used in a variety of ways, from automating routine tasks to predicting and preventing future events. As governments around the world seek to improve the delivery of public services and increase citizen engagement, many are turning to AI as a solution.

In the public sector, AI can be applied to a wide range of areas, such as healthcare, transportation, education, public safety, and social services. For example, AI can help healthcare providers diagnose diseases more accurately, predict and prevent traffic congestion, personalize learning experiences for students, and identify patterns of criminal behavior to prevent crime.

The use of AI in the public sector also has the potential to increase transparency and accountability. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI can identify patterns of corruption and fraud, detect errors and anomalies, and provide insights that can inform policy decisions.

However, the use of AI in the public sector also raises important ethical, legal, and social issues. These include concerns about privacy, bias, accountability, and transparency. It is essential that governments and other stakeholders consider these issues carefully and develop policies and frameworks that address them effectively.

Overall, the use of AI in the public sector has the potential to transform the way that governments deliver services and engage with citizens. By leveraging the power of AI, governments can improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability, while also addressing complex social and economic challenges

Why Responsible AI?

 AI systems have gained prominence over the last decade due to their vast potential to unlock economic value and help mitigate social challenges. Thus, not only the development but also adoption of AI has seen a global surge in recent years. Responsible AI is designed to help recognize, prepare for, and mitigate potential harmful effects of AI.

Some of the commonly identified use of AI in improving Public Service Delivery are:

Energy

• Energy Consumption Trackers
• Convolutional Neural Network
• Smart Streetlights
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Smart Grid
• Deep Neural Network

Mobility

• Intelligent Traffic Signals
• Deep Reinforcement Learning
• Smart Routing
• Autonomous Driving
• Neural Networks & Deep Learning

Air Quality

• Air Pollution & Emission Reduction
• Artificial Neural Network
• Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
• Evolutionary Algorithm

Water

• Smart Water Meters – Leak Detection
• Water Quality Monitoring – Optimizing Energy Requirements
• Deep Learning
• Decision Tree

Housing

• Building Information Modeling
• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Building Permit Processing
• Robotic Process Automation

Security

• Early Warning, Emergency Response Systems
• Deep Learning
• Predictive Policing, Crime Mapping
• Computer Vision
• Automated Speech Recognition

India has adopted AI applications in:

• Transport – iRASTE

iRASTE (intelligent Solutions for Road Safety through Technology and Engineering) – The Government of India, through a unique partnership with industry and academia, has launched Project iRASTE to reimagine road safety in India using the predictive power of AI. This is a step closer to the government’s target of 50% reduction in road fatalities on Indian roads by 2030.

• Public Service – Aadhaar Mitra

Aadhaar Mitra: The chat-bot comes with enhanced features like – checking Aadhaar enrolment/update status, tracking of Aadhaar PVC card status, information on enrolment center location, etc. People can also register their grievances and track them using Aadhaar Mitra.

• Health Care – Diabetic Retinopathy

Detection of diabetic retinopathy in primary care using AI – NITI Aayog is working on using AI for early detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The objective is to develop an AI algorithm for the detection of signs of DR in diabetic patients and to scientifically validate the algorithm to be used as a screening tool in primary care.

• Public Finance – Bhavishya

It is an AI-supported portal for pension payment and tracking. It will send automatic alerts to pensioners. It will also regularly receive their inputs, suggestions as well as grievances for a prompt response.

• Security – Installation of AI-Enabled CCTV Cameras By Indian Railways

The ministry has assigned RailTel with the task of completing the installation of a Video Surveillance System (VSS) equipped with high-resolution CCTV cameras. CCTV cameras of stations and video feeds will be monitored at three levels to ensure enhanced safety and security at railway premises. The system comes with Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Video Analytics Software and Facial Recognition Software, which will help to detect known criminals triggering an alert when they enter station premises.

• Agriculture – Kisan Suvidha

Kisan Suvidha disseminates relevant information to farmers regarding weather, market prices, plant protection, inputs, weather alerts, go-downs and storages and market-related information such as conducive markets, market rates, quantity demands, etc.

Conclusion

Governments may utilize AI to create better policies, make better decisions, enhance citizen participation and communication, and boost the effectiveness and efficiency of public services. While AI has huge potential benefits, achieving them is not going to come easy. The use of AI in government is less prevalent than in the commercial sector; the area is complicated and has a high learning curve. Despite technological advancements, it will take its own good time to result in successful realistic achievements for the benefit of people at large.

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