New Delhi. Forty of the 70 defence-specific artificial intelligence (AI) projects identified for defence public sector undertakings have been completed, parliament was informed on August 1.
Following the recommendations of a task force set up by the Department of Defence Production (DDP) under the chairmanship of Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and in consultation with all stakeholders, a Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC) had been established under the Chairmanship of the Defence Minister to provide necessary guidance and structural support for enhancing the AI capabilities of the armed forces.
Further, a Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) had been created under the Secretary DDP for enabling AI based processes in defence organisations.
“Artificial Intelligence framework and guidelines for projects and programmes in DRDO have been issued. All DRDO system laboratories have started AI technology groups to introduce AI features in all products,” Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
“Further, an AI roadmap has also been finalised for each DPSU under which 70 defence-specific AI projects have been identified for development. Out of these projects, 40 projects have been completed by the DPSUs,” he added.
Among the steps for enhancing the AI capabilities are:
- DRDO has three dedicated laboratories, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru and DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL)-AI and DYST-CT (Cognitive Technology) for application orientated research in AI in different domains.
- CAIR is nurturing start-ups & also conducting workshops for DRDO scientists to create skill sets on AI in Defence Systems.
- Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) is conducting Certified courses in AI & Machine Learning and so far more than 1,000 professionals have been trained in these domains.
- AI is also promoted in academia and industry through R&D projects under Defence Industry Academia Centre of Excellences, Extramural Research and Technology Development Fund schemes of DRDO.
- DDP has earmarked Rs 100 crore per year for AI projects for Armed Forces.
- IAF has established a Unit for Digitization, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking (UDAAN) which is in the process of developing many applications for Campaign Planning and Analysis System, e-Nirikshan et al.
