The IT ministry in India has called for proposals from academic institutions and research organizations to develop tools and frameworks that facilitate the responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI). The government aims to promote just and ethical AI by focusing on areas such as machine unlearning, synthetic data generation, fairness tools, bias mitigation strategies, and more.
One important tool that will be developed is related to machine unlearning, which aims to rectify inaccuracies, biases, and outdated information that can unintentionally become ingrained in machine learning models. By removing undesirable learned behaviors, machine unlearning algorithms contribute to the development of more accurate, reliable, and fair AI systems in various domains.
The proposal also highlights the need for tools and frameworks that focus on synthetic data generation, algorithm fairness, bias mitigation, ethical AI, and governance testing. The government is particularly interested in addressing data gaps, mitigating privacy concerns, and promoting equitable representation within AI systems.
Institutions eligible to apply for this opportunity include government-run organizations like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the National Institute of Technology (NIT), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT), as well as private academic organizations with existing lab infrastructure and dedicated staff. Interested institutions must justify completing the project within the next two years and align it with the overall goal of promoting fair and ethical AI utilization. Proposals must be submitted to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology no later than January 12.
The call for proposals from the IT ministry reflects a growing recognition of the importance of responsible AI development. By promoting the development of tools and frameworks that address biases, accuracy, fairness, and ethical concerns, the government is taking a proactive approach to ensuring AI technologies benefit society as a whole.