Election manifestos need a dose of AI

Inability to engage with this disruptive tech, which has a potential to impact what is seen as populist, can lead to failure in delivering on electoral promises

- RISHI RAJ

POPULISM AND POLITICAL parties often function as synonyms. Parties tend to encash whatever is popular. They have often resorted to populist measures, from providing free electricity, bicycles, laptops, and bus rides to directly transferring cash to the accounts of certain sections while seeking votes for parliamentary or Assembly elections. And these have often worked to the advantage of one or the other party. Naturally, such promises tend to find space in election manifestos.

The big development of the times we live in is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to reshape virtually every aspect of human life. From healthcare and education to manufacturing, logistics, and even entertainment, AI is revolutionising industries, improving efficiencies, and opening up new possibilities. Given the enormous potential, it is therefore crucial for governments to develop robust AI policies to ensure the responsible and ethical use of this technology while maximising its benefits for society.

While governments in power do talk about such policies, it's surprising how AI has not become an intrinsic part of election manifestos of political parties, since it has the potential to impact what is seen as populist. Take the case of providing jobs to the needy where conventional wisdom suggests it's best to automate processes and remove human interference to remove bias and corruption.