India’s Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh launched 75 newly-developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) products/technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defense’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Defense in New Delhi on July 11, 2022. The products, launched as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, fall under various domains. These include AI Platform Automation; Autonomous/Unmanned/Robotics systems; Block Chain-based Automation; Command, Control, Communication, Computer & Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance; Cyber Security; Human Behavioral Analysis; Intelligent Monitoring Systems; Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems; Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operational Data Analytics; Manufacturing and Maintenance; Simulators/Test Equipment and speech/voice analysis using Natural Language Processing.
Three AI products developed by the DPSUs have dual-use applications and good market potential, namely AI-enabled Voice Transcription/Analysis software developed by Bharat Electronics Limited; Driver Fatigue Monitoring System developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited and AI-enabled evaluation of Welding defects in X-rays of Non-destructive Testing developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers were screened during the event. These products are expected to open up new business avenues for the Defense PSUs.
The Raksha Mantri (Defense Minister) released the physical as well as e-version of the book comprising the details of these 75 products, showcasing the collective efforts put on by the Services, Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), iDEX start-ups and the private industry in last four years in the field of AI. Appreciating the efforts, Rajnath Singh, in his address, described AI as a revolutionary step in the development of humanity; proof that a human being is the most evolved creature in the universe. He was amazed that the human mind has not only created/reproduced knowledge but is developing intelligence that creates knowledge.
Rajnath Singh pointed out that AI has built inroads in almost every sector, including defense, health & medicine, agriculture, trade & commerce and transport. He called upon all the defense 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/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,” he said.
The Raksha Mantri appreciated the fact that MoD, Armed Forces, DRDO, DPSUs and the Industry are making meaningful efforts to provide innovative & indigenous AI solutions for defense and are developing futuristic technologies. He echoed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of developing AI-enabled and AI-led applications to ensure social welfare & national security and making India a ‘Global Hub for AI’. He hoped that India will soon be among the leading countries in the field of AI.
