India has developed a new framework (ETAI) and guidelines for integrating Trust worthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) into defence operations, which has been approved by the Chief of Defence Staff. This step has been taken to ensure effective and responsible use of AI in the defence sector.
Trust worthy AI (ETAI) Framework
- ETAI is a risk-based assessment framework, specially designed for the defence sector.
It focuses on the following five principles
- Reliability and robustness: Building AI systems that are reliable and sustainable.
- Security: Ensuring the safety of AI systems so that they are free from potential threats.
- Transparency: Understanding and clarifying the decision-making processes of AI systems.
- Fairness: Ensuring fairness for all users, so that there is no discrimination of any kind.
- Privacy: Maintaining the security and privacy of user data.
This framework defines a holistic set of criteria for evaluating trustworthy AI and provides a structured approach to its creation and evaluation.
Changes in the use of AI
- Intelligent weapon systems: The capabilities of AI drones and other autonomous systems are increasing. For example, Israeli UAVs Harpy and Harop.
- Command and control: AI enhances the capabilities of command and control by processing big data in real-time. For example, AI-based intrusion detection systems.
- Decision-support systems: AI-powered decision-support systems can rapidly assess complex combat situations and suggest appropriate strategies. For example, the use of Storm drones by the Indian Army.
Concerns related to the use of AI
- Accidental damage: The use of autonomous weapons can lead to unexpected casualties of civilians.
- Legal and ethical ambiguity: Ambiguity in cases of human rights violations and civilian casualties.
- Other issues: Cybersecurity risks, lack of credibility, and potential for escalating conflict.
Steps taken by India: India has taken several important steps to adopt AI in the defence sector
- Defence AI Council (DAIC): Established to provide guidance and policy-level changes for AI.
- Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA): Roadmap prepared for the development of AI enabled applications.
- AI Roadmap for Department of Defence: 61 defence specific AI projects have been identified for development.
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (ISEX) framework: This will help promote innovation.
Chief of Defence Staff
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is an important position that serves as a single-point advisor for the armed forces of India. The position serves as the head of the Army, Navy and Air Force and is a four-star military officer. The main objective of the CDS is to promote integration and cooperation among the Indian armed forces.
History and formation of CDS
- First appointment: General Bipin Rawat was appointed as India’s first CDS on 30 December 2019.
- Kargil War recommendations: The creation of the post of CDS is based on the recommendations made after the 1999 Kargil War. At that time, a high-level committee examined the loopholes in the country’s security system and recommended that there should be a Chief of Defence Staff across the three forces.
- Committee recommendation: The committee suggested that this person should be the single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister and should be a five-star officer.
- Recommendation in 2001: A Group of Ministers (GoM) recommended this appointment in 2001, but it was implemented in 2019 when the Prime Minister announced the plan from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Need for CDS
- Reforms in structure: The appointment of CDS aims to make India’s military power strong and effective. According to defence expert Ajay Shukla, this mirrors the US system, which has worked well during global challenges.
- Single-point advice: The rationale behind the appointment of the CDS is that the government should have single-point military advice from a professional body on matters of national security, which will help in making correct and effective decisions.