NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 75 newly-developed Artificial Intelligence products and technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition on Monday.
The products were launched under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Singh pointed out that AI has built inroads in almost every sector, including defence, health and medicine, agriculture, trade and commerce, and transport.
He even called upon all the defence stakeholders to enhance the jointness of human consciousness and the ability of AI to bring a radical change in the sector.
“When there has been full human participation in wars, new autonomous weapons and systems have been developed with the help of AI applications. They can destroy enemy establishments without human control. AI-enabled military devices are capable of handling large amounts of data efficiently. It is also proving to be very helpful in training the soldiers. In the coming times, Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies will also be used effectively,” Singh said.
Singh further added, “We have started incorporation of AI applications in remote piloted, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. There is a need to move further in this direction so that we can develop autonomous weapon systems. Timely infusion of technologies like AI and Big Data in the defence sector is of utmost importance so that we are not left behind the technological curve and are able to take maximum advantage of technology for our services.”
Several MoUs have been signed with the industry for faster promotion of AI applications in the Services.
He urged the industry and start-ups to explore newer avenues and work hand-in-hand with the Government to ensure complete self-reliance in the field of AI technology.
Singh even emphasized the important role academia plays in strengthening the defence sector.
“Efforts are being made by DRDO to make strides in the field of AI through Technological Development Fund projects and ‘Dare to dream’ contests. Several Defence-Industry-Academia Centers of Excellence have been established across the country, and AI finds prominence in the charters of many of them,” he added.