Question : Artificial Intelligence

(a) whether the Government has taken any decision for the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) in the activities of Defence and DRDO;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the Government’s proactive reaction in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has constituted any committee and announced formula to address this matter and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the funds allocated for this purpose during the last three years and the manner in which it is going to reduce the burden of our defence personnel in future?

MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Ministry of Defence has initiated the process of preparing Indian defence forces for use of Artificial Intelligence. To study the whole gamut of issues on the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on National security and defence needs, a multi-stakeholder Task Force on Strategic Implementation of Artificial Intelligence for National Security and Defence represented by members from the Government, Defence Services, Academia, Industry Professionals, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Start-ups was constituted in February, 2018.


Task Force has studied research and innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and outlined its adoption in defence sector including future roadmap on how to integrate and embed AI strategy with core defence strategy.
In addition the Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories have been assigned a roadmap for developing AI enabled products.
(d) There is no specific fund allocation on yearly basis. However, funds are allocated for various projects on case to case basis. Some of the projects are as under:


A project has been sanctioned to Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics (CAIR), a DRDO based laboratory, to develop AI based solutions for signal intelligence to enhance intelligence collation and analysis capabilities to the armed forces. The total cost of the project is Rs.73.9 Crore.
? A project named, Energy Harvesting Based Infrared Sensor Network for Automated Human Intrusion Detection (EYESIRa), which is partially based on the principles of IoT, has been sanctioned for Rs.1.8 Crore.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tools would aid the defence forces constructively in areas such as decision support, sensor data analysis, predictive maintenance, situational awareness, accurate data extraction, security etc. These tools will assist defence personnel in better operations, maintenance and logistics support.

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