Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder of Infosys and Chairman of EkStep, and actor Anil Kapoor, have been named in the prestigious TIME 100 list of top global leaders in artificial intelligence (AI). All three have featured in the 'Shapers' category of the TIME 100, underscoring India’s increasing impact on the AI industry.
While Ashwini Vaishnaw has spearheaded India's AI regulatory efforts and infrastructure development, aiming to balance innovation with safeguards, Nandan Nilekani focuses on practical AI applications through EkStep and the Open Cloud Compute project, enhancing digital public goods. And, Anil Kapoor has set a precedent in protecting personal likenesses from unauthorized AI use through legal victories.
Ashwini Vaishnaw’s leadership in AI regulation
Ashwini Vaishnaw has been acknowledged for his pivotal role in shaping the country’s AI landscape. At the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024 in July, Vaishnaw emphasized the need for comprehensive regulation to address the risks associated with AI and implement necessary safeguards.
The government is investing in a substantial AI infrastructure, including over 10,000 GPUs, AI innovation centers, and a focus on high-quality datasets. Under the Rs 10,732 crore IndiaAI Mission, the government aims to support AI innovation and regulation, balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations.
The government aims to introduce an AI application development initiative and focus heavily on skill development to nurture talent in the AI field. Vaishnaw emphasized that India's strategy for AI will balance innovation with essential safeguards to prevent misuse, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society as a whole. India currently leads the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an international initiative with approximately 29 member countries, dedicated to overseeing the responsible advancement and use of AI.
Nandan Nilekani’s AI vision and initiatives
Nandan Nilekani, renowned for his pioneering work in technology, continues to drive advancements in AI through his role at EkStep, a non-profit foundation dedicated to developing digital public goods. Nilekani, the architect of Aadhaar and co-founder-chairman of Infosys, believes India should not chase the development of Large Language Models (LLMs) but should focus on creating AI use-cases that benefit every citizen. At a May event, the People+AI initiative, part of the EkStep Foundation, launched the Open Cloud Compute (OCC) project. OCC aims to establish an open network for computing resources to meet the rising demand for AI infrastructure. Nilekani stressed that India should leverage existing technology to tackle the challenges faced by its billion-plus population rather than waiting for the next major breakthrough.
Anil Kapoor’s legal victory and AI rights
Anil Kapoor’s inclusion in the TIME 100 list reflects the intersection of AI with entertainment and legal rights. Kapoor recently secured a landmark legal victory in the New Delhi High Court against unauthorized use of his likeness by AI. On September 20, the court issued an injunction against 16 entities, prohibiting the unauthorized use of Kapoor's name, likeness, voice, and other personal attributes for commercial purposes. The court also directed domain name providers to suspend websites using Kapoor's name and instructed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to remove fake videos featuring the actor. Kapoor’s legal battle highlights the importance of protecting personality and publicity rights in the digital age.
This recognition of Vaishnaw, Nilekani, and Kapoor in TIME’s AI 100 list not only celebrates their individual achievements but also reflects India’s growing prominence in the global AI landscape.
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