New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): Union Minister Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday emphasized the need for India to advance in artificial intelligence (AI), saying that the country cannot afford to halt technological progress and will emerge as a global leader in the field.

Dubey was speaking to ANI after a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology at Parliament House Annexe here in Delhi, which he chaired as the Committee's Chairman, and was attended by officials from different ministries.

'...India has to move ahead in artificial intelligence. We cannot stop technology and about one trillion is going to be added to our economy,' Dubey told ANI after the meeting.

'In 7-8 years, due to artificial intelligence, our economy will grow more than 1 trillion and about 50 to 60 lakh people will get employment,' he said.

Dubey highlighted the need to assess AI's impact on key sectors such as banking, taxation, customs, and excise.

'We convened this meeting to evaluate how well-equipped our departments are to handle AI's implications in these areas,' he said.

'I believe we will emerge as a world leader in artificial intelligence,' Dubey said.

He added the government is also imparting training on ethical consideration regarding data privacy, and that steps to prevent misuse of AI would also be taken.

The meeting featured a comprehensive presentation and discussions on the 'Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Related Issues,' with representatives from key ministries, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Department of Financial Services, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

On February 12, Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) S Krishnan had said that India's policy position on AI has been on the possibility of innovation and the possibility that it offers greater productivity and opportunity while being cognisant of possible harms and what can be done to mitigate them.

Krishnan, who addressed a press conference along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, said India brought in AI into the G20 narrative as well, and part of the G20 declaration focused on what needs to happen in terms of AI and inclusive AI.

PM Modi co-chaired AI Action Summit in Paris with France President Emmanuel Macron.

Krishnan said the next AI summit will be hosted in India later this year. 'The emphasis has been on innovation-driven AI. India has endorsed the leaders' statement on inclusive and sustainable AI and given a commitment to AI for the public interest which were the two major outcomes of this summit...India has supported the establishment of the AI foundation...India has also joined the coalition on sustainable AI ensuring AI's alignment with environmental and sustainable development goals,' he added.

He said the Global South will be adequately represented in the AI Summit to be hosted by India. (ANI)