Google Invests $1 Million in IIT Madras for Responsible AI Research

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with Google to establish the Centre for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CeRAI), focusing on responsible AI research and development. As the inaugural platinum consortium member, Google has invested $1 million in this initiative.

CeRAI aims to become a premier research centre at both the national and international levels, dedicated to fundamental and applied research in Responsible AI. The center will prioritize the deployment of AI systems within the Indian ecosystem, emphasizing immediate impact.

Google's substantial investment as the first platinum consortium member will contribute significantly to advancing responsible AI practices.

CeRAI's primary objective is to produce high-quality research outputs, including publications in renowned journals and conferences, as well as white papers and patents. Additionally, CeRAI will develop technical resources, such as curated datasets (both universal and India-specific), software, and toolkits, focusing on the domain of Responsible AI.

The center also plans to conduct specialized sensitization and training programs for stakeholders, enabling them better to understand the ethical and responsible aspects of AI. By fostering knowledge and awareness, these programs will facilitate meaningful contributions to problem-solving within specific domains.

CeRAI will further organize technical events, including workshops and conferences, centred around deployable AI systems. These events will emphasize ethical considerations and the principles of responsibility that must be adhered to throughout AI development and deployment.

On May 15, CeRAI held its first workshop, titled 'Responsible AI for India.' Abhishek Singh, Managing Director and CEO of Digital India Corporation expressed confidence that the workshop's discussions and panel sessions would contribute to the evolution of frameworks, guidelines, and policies for responsible AI.

Sanjay Gupta, Google's Country Head and Vice President, reiterated the company's commitment to sharing best practices in responsible AI. With a grant of $1 million to IIT Madras, Google aims to build a foundation of fairness, interpretability, privacy, and security, facilitating the responsible adoption of AI within India's digital ecosystem.

Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the need to assign responsibility to AI tools and interpret their outputs accurately. He highlighted concerns related to human augmentation, biased datasets, data leakage risks, the need for new policies, and extensive research. Professor Kamakoti stressed the importance of building trust in AI while preserving privacy. He reassured that as long as domain interpretation remains a key aspect, AI will not replace jobs.

The collaboration between IIT Madras and Google sets a strong precedent for responsible AI practices in India. CeRAI, with Google's support, is poised to drive significant advancements in responsible AI research, dataset development, and AI system deployment within the Indian ecosystem.

With AI playing an increasingly vital role in our lives, initiatives like CeRAI ensure that these technologies are harnessed for societal benefit while upholding ethical and responsible principles.

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