“Artificial Intelligence can empower governance but also endanger privacy.” Discuss.

Introduction:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a revolutionary force that is changing how public administration operates. AI promises improved efficiency, accuracy and citizen outreach in everything from data-driven policymaking to predictive government. However its unrestrained use runs the risk of eroding the fundamental tenets of democratic governance which is  accountability, openness and privacy.

Applications of Analytical Dimensions in Governance: 

Smart policing, digital grievance resolution, real-time policy analytics and predictive healthcare are all made possible by AI. AI-based technologies are being used more and more in flagship projects such PM Gati Shakti, Aadhaar and Digital India successfully.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Pattern identification for disaster management, traffic control management and welfare targeting is made possible by machine learning models through AI only.

Legal-Ethical Context: The Right to Privacy Judgement (2017) emphasises that data dignity and autonomy must be respected in technological innovation.

Difficulties

Lack of Legal Framework: India does not have a comprehensive law on algorithmic accountability or AI ethics till date.Although it is evolving now. While Data is governed by the DPDP Act of 2023 but algorithmic decision-making is not still governed.

Discrimination & Bias: Unsupervised algorithms may reinforce inequality and exclusion by reflecting societal biases which is a possible hindrance moving further .

Openness and Surveillance: Transparency and public confidence in e-governance are threatened by black-box algorithms and intrusive data monitoring like Cyber Crimes happening daily..

The Way Ahead:

To oversee and regulate ethics, a National AI Ethics Authority should be established to monitor and reinforce the regularities..

Integrate human oversight, impact evaluations and algorithm audits into automated decision systems.

Encourage informed engagement by educating citizens and bureaucrats about AI through proper training models.

AI should essentially continue to be governance’s servant rather than its master.Indeed an AI ecosystem that is transparent, accountable and rights-based can turn technology into a real ally in strengthening democracy.But its challenges should be actively worked on and executed to get the optimum for our growth and progress of our country.

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About the Author: Jyoti Verma