At a time when generative AI is transforming every field, the government is aware of algorithmic biases associated with AI, said Secretary, Ministry of I&B Sanjay Jaju.
Jaju also highlighted that the government is aware of the challenges that many of the creators are facing in terms of the ineffable returns that they get from the digital platforms
At a time when generative AI is transforming every field, the government is aware of algorithmic biases associated with AI, said Secretary, Ministry of I&B Sanjay Jaju.
“There are challenges in terms of the AI-driven recommendations, which can also inevitably lead to algorithmic biases,” said Jaju virtually at the India Digital Summit. Jaju’s comment comes at a time when large tech giants have often been accused of biases.
For instance, in February 2024, Google’s Gemini AI was accused of bias after the tool's response to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, the chatbox of Meta was accused of bias before the US presidential elections after the AI chatbot didn’t acknowledge the assassination attempt of President-elect Donald Trump.
Jaju also highlighted that the government is aware of the challenges that many of the creators are facing in terms of the ineffable returns that they get from the digital platforms. An analysis by influencer marketing firm Kofluence says that even though India has around 30 lakh content creators, around 150,000 are only able to monetize the content.
“At the same time, we are aware of the challenges posed by certain content, including its potential impact on children, the quality of engagement, and the presence of harmful material such as pornography or content promoting disharmony and sexual violence,” he added.
Disputing these challenges, Jaju expressed confidence that through collective efforts, India can address these challenges and position itself as a global leader in media and entertainment.
While mentioning that the country is at the cusp of new openings, Jaju said that the media and entertainment sector has witnessed significant transformations over the years, starting with mobile internet and social media and now embracing the rise of OTT platforms.
“This sector holds immense importance for India, contributing about Rs 3 lakh crores to the economy and growing faster than the national average. Subsegments like gaming are expanding at an impressive rate of nearly 20 percent annually, showcasing the dynamic nature of this industry,” he said.
He further added that regulatory reforms are also underway to address industry needs. One such example is that of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, which was passed in July 2023. The amendment now includes provisions for combating illegal content, enhancing accessibility, and promoting inclusivity.