May 2024
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

On the importance of Regulatory Sandboxes in Artificial Intelligence 

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Emerging Technologies

Mains level: e-Governance; AI; Regulatory sandboxes;

Why in the News? 

Regulatory sandboxes are now widely used in many countries because they allow new ideas to be tested in a controlled and supervised environment.

What are Regulatory Sandboxes?

  • A regulatory sandbox is a tool allowing businesses to explore and experiment with new and innovative products, services, or businesses under a regulator’s supervision. They are introduced in highly regulated Finance and Energy industries.
  • This is also related to specific spheres or regulations, such as AI or GDPR, to promote responsible innovation/and or competition, address regulatory barriers to innovation, and advance regulatory learning.

Regulatory Sandboxes in the World:

  • According to a World Bank study, more than 50 countries are currently experimenting with fintech sandboxes.
  • Japan: Japan introduced in 2018 a sandbox regime open to organizations and companies including blockchain, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as in fields such as financial services, healthcare, and transportation.
  • UK: A sandbox has been set up to explore new technologies such as voice biometrics and facial recognition technology, and the related data protection issues.

Significance of Regulatory Sandboxes:

  • Provides Empirical Evidence: Regulators can acquire a better understanding of innovative products, which allows them to develop adequate rule-making, supervision, and enforcement policies. 
    • For example, in the banking industry, the sandbox may result in amending the rules on identity verification without a face-to-face meeting in certain circumstances.
  • Controlled Environment: Regulatory sandboxes help innovators to develop a better understanding of supervisory expectations. Moreover, for innovators, testing in a controlled environment also mitigates the risks and unintended consequences when bringing a new technology to market, and can potentially reduce the time-to-market cycle for new products.
  • Provides high Insights: It promotes higher insights on technical experiments by closely monitoring and evaluating the performance of emerging technologies, and generating valuable empirical evidence.
  • Promotes Collaboration: Regulatory sandboxes foster collaboration between innovators and regulators. This partnership helps ensure that the development of new technologies aligns with regulatory standards and public interests.
  • Benefits to the end consumer: Consumers benefit from the introduction of new and potentially safer products, as regulatory sandboxes foster innovation and consumer choice in the long run.
    • Regulatory sandboxes can enhance access to funding for businesses by reducing information imbalances and regulatory costs.

Need to find a Middle path:

  • Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Regulatory sandboxes allow for a balanced approach, where innovation is encouraged without completely foregoing necessary regulatory oversight. This balance is crucial to prevent stifling innovation while ensuring safety towards data security and compliance.
  • Risk Mitigation and Ethical Development: The features where regulatory sandboxes encourage responsible innovation by mandating risk assessments and implementing safeguards need to be used efficiently.

What approach does India need to keep?

  • Multifaceted Approach: India’s strategy should encompass economic ambitions, ethical considerations, job creation, industrial transformation, and societal welfare. This holistic approach ensures that AI development aligns with the country’s broader goals.
  • Regulatory Sandbox as a Preparatory Step: Rather than immediately imposing stringent regulations, India should use regulatory sandboxes as a preparatory measure. This allows for the testing of AI applications in a controlled environment, generating insights that inform future regulatory frameworks.
  • Adaptable and Progressive Legislation: India’s AI regulations should be flexible and adaptable, capable of evolving with technological advancements. This can be achieved by initially using sandboxes to test and refine regulatory approaches before formalizing them.
  • Ethical and Cultural Alignment: AI development in India should align with the country’s cultural and ethical values. This ensures that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and ethically, respecting societal norms and expectations.

Conclusion: The EU has come up with an AI Act, the U.S. has released a white paper on the AI Bill of Rights, and the U.K. has a national AI Strategy. China is trying to regulate various aspects of AI like generative AI while Singapore is following an innovation-friendly approach. Therefore, in a Global Competitive race, we too need some regulations to harness AI’s vast potential.

Mains PYQ:

Q The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) hasinitiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss.(UPSC IAS/2020)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

Sri Lanka cabinet approves new economic law to meet IMF targets

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: IMF; Debt-to-GDP ratio;

Mains level: International Market and Economy; Fiscal Issues;

Why in the News?

SRI Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a new economic law to stabilize its debt-to-GDP ratio that will cover key targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

  • The debt-to-GDP ratio measures the proportion of a country’s national debt to its gross domestic product.
  • According to the World Bank, the countries whose debt-to-GDP ratios exceed 77% for prolonged periods experience significant slowdowns in economic growth.

What are the IMF Targets?

    • The IMF has various targets and initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth and prosperity for its member countries.
    • It includes promoting financial stability, monetary cooperation, and transparency in economic policies to enhance productivity, job creation, and economic well-being.
  • Indian Scenario:
      • India has not taken any financial assistance from the IMF since 1993.
      • India’s current quota in the IMF is SDR (Special Drawing Rights) 5,821.5 million, making it the 13th largest quota-holding country at IMF and giving it shareholdings of 2.44%.
  • For Sri Lanka:
    • The IMF targets Sri Lanka to reduce its debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 95% by 2030.
    • Another target set by the IMF is to reduce debt servicing costs to 4.5% of GDP. It means Sri Lanka needs to focus on managing the costs associated with servicing it’s debt obligations, aiming to make it more sustainable and manageable in the long term.

How will the debt-to-GDP ratio be reduced?   

  • Fiscal Discipline: Sri Lanka may need to implement measures to improve fiscal discipline, such as reducing government Expenditure, increasing Tax revenue, and narrowing Budget Deficits.
  • Debt Restructuring: Sri Lanka can explore negotiating with creditors to extend debt maturities, reduce interest rates, or reprofile debt payments.
  • Revenue Enhancement: The government could focus on enhancing revenue generation through tax reforms, improved tax administration, and efforts to broaden the tax base.
  • Economic Growth: Promoting economic growth is essential for reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio over the long term. Sri Lanka could implement policies to stimulate investment, boost productivity, and enhance competitiveness, leading to higher GDP growth rates and a more sustainable debt trajectory.

What does India do presently to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio?

  • Targeted Reduction: According to a research paper by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the government aims to lower the general government debt-GDP ratio to 73.4% by 2030-31. This target is approximately 5% points lower than the trajectory projected by the IMF, indicating ambitious yet achievable goals.
  • Promotes Fiscal Space: The Indian Central Bank RBI emphasized reducing debt burdens to free up fiscal space for new investments, particularly in critical areas like the green transition. This suggests a strategic focus on investing in sustainable and environmentally friendly initiatives.
  • Aligning with IMF: The IMF projects a positive trend in India’s debt reduction efforts, forecasting a decline in government debt from 81% of GDP in 2022 to 80.5% in 2028. This indicates that India’s debt reduction measures are consistent with international expectations and standards.

Conclusion: Focus on enhancing revenue generation through Comprehensive Tax reforms, improved tax compliance, and efforts to broaden the tax base is needed. Secondly, rationalizing Tax revenues can provide additional resources to finance government expenditures without relying heavily on borrowing, thus reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio.

Mains PYQ:

Q The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandates are distinctly different. Elucidate. (UPSC IAS/2013)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Human Rights Issues

Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: About NHRC;

Mains level: Human Rights; NHRC; Paris Principles;

Why in the News?

The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) was formally informed late last week that the deferral of its status would continue for a year more.

  • The deferral was put in place by the Sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for a year, in 2023.

About the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC)

    • The NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, of 1993.
    • It is mandated to promote and protect Human Rights in India, investigate complaints of human rights violations, and take serious cognizance of human rights issues.
    • The NHRC plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and justice for victims of Human Rights abuses.
  • It’s Deferral status:
    • The deferral of NHRC’s status means that its accreditation is temporarily postponed, pending improvements in its compliance with the Paris Principles.
    • The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) accredits National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) based on compliance with the Paris Principles, a set of international standards for NHRIs.

About Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI):

  • The GANHRI is an international network that brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from around the world.
  • It was established in 1993 as the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
  • In 2009, it was renamed GANHRI to better reflect its global scope and mission.

How Indian NHRC is drifting away from the Paris Principles?

  • Ideological Conflict: The mention of the ‘Manusmriti’ in the NHRC document sparked outrage among historically disadvantaged communities, who view it as a source of discrimination and violence they have endured during ancient times.
    • The foundational values of ‘Equality’ in the Indian Constitution and Paris Principles conflict with Manusmriti’s ‘caste-division’ principles.
    • In early 2017 also the NHRC was placed in the deferral category by the GANHRI, which was later lifted after a review.
  • Significance of ‘A’ Status: NHRC had emphasized the significance of ‘A’ status accreditation in its public note on a previous occasion.
    • ‘A’ status grants participation in the work and mechanisms of GANHRI, the Human Rights Council, and other UN mechanisms.

Way forward:

  • Comprehensive Review: Conduct a thorough review of NHRC’s policies, practices, and organizational structure to identify areas of improvement and address deficiencies.
  • Strengthen Compliance: Need to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles, including enhancing autonomy, independence, and effectiveness in addressing human rights violations.

Mains PYQ:

Q Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures. (UPSC IAS/2021)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Tuberculosis Elimination Strategy

The challenge of Extra-Pulmonary TB

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Diseases in the News;

Mains level: Health and Diseases in India;

 

Why in the News? 

A tuberculosis patient receives treatment from a nurse (instead of a specialist) at a TB hospital in Guwahati.

What is meant by Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)?  

  • Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that involves the lungs but may spread to other organs where it destroys body tissue. TB is a contagious disease that can infect anyone exposed to MTB.
  • It constitutes a significant portion of the TB burden in India, accounting for more than 20% of cases.

Present status of Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) in India:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, there are over 10 million new cases of TB every year and India alone accounts for 27% of the global TB burden. However, the burden of EPTB is hard to estimate. EPTB is often stain-negative, which means it is not detectable on regular TB stain tests.

 

The twin challenges of the Knowledge Gap: 

  • Lack of awareness:
    • Among Physicians: Many healthcare providers are unaware that TB can affect organs other than the lungs, such as the eyes and other immune-privileged sites.
    • Among Patients: Nearly 1/5th of TB patients have EPTB. Most of them go undiagnosed, and the few who are diagnosed cannot benefit from care unless they visit a few specialist health facilities.
  • Lack of Accurate Diagnostic and Treatment Criteria: There is a lack of accurate diagnostic criteria for EPTB, making it challenging to identify the disease correctly. Treatment protocols for EPTB are not well-established or widely known, complicating effective management.
    • Although guidelines like INDEX-TB (a set of guidelines by WHO for EPTB management in India) have been formulated, their implementation has remained dormant.
    • The current system for collecting EPTB data is fragmented, with specialist departments maintaining diverse data practices.
    • National Patient Management Portals, such as Ni-kshay in India, have incomplete and missing data on EPTB patients.

Need to Prioritize Research and Development (R&D) for EPTB:

  • Need to understand the infection mechanism deeply: A troubling aspect of EPTB infection is the prolonged presence of disease markers even after the infection is resolved with treatment.
    • This phenomenon causes a lot of misery to persons with EPTB and is an active area of research.
  • Prioritize Advanced Immunological Tools: Advanced Immunological Tools such as single-cell RNA sequencing, will be able to uncover the immune mechanisms for the disease.
    • This will also help physicians to understand the treatment better, instead of going for long-duration anti-TB therapy (sometimes for even two years or more).

Mains PYQ: 

Q Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without a Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

ISRO Missions and Discoveries

NISAR Satellite will be able to monitor Tectonic Movements: ISRO chief

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NISAR and its features

Mains level: NA

Why in the News?

The ISRO Chief has confirmed that the NISAR Satellite would be able to monitor the Tectonic Movements of Earth with high precision with a centimeter accuracy.

  • Originally planned for July, the NISAR launch may be delayed to October-November due to issues on the U.S. spacecraft side.

About NISAR Satellite:

  • NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint satellite mission between NASA and ISRO.
  • It would be a Low Earth Orbit observatory.
  • This mission is aimed at enhancing our understanding of Earth’s natural processes and environmental changes.

Features of NISAR Satellite:

  • L-band and S-band Radar Frequencies:
      • NASA is responsible for the L-band radar, while ISRO provides the S-band radar.
      • This dual-band capability allows the satellite to monitor and measure Earth’s surface with high precision in all weather conditions and throughout both day and night.
  • Large Deployable Antenna: 
      • It is equipped with a large deployable antenna that measures 12 meters in diameter.
      • This large antenna enhances the satellite’s ability to capture detailed radar images with high resolution.
      • It will have a 39-foot stationary antenna reflector, made of a gold-plated wire mesh to focus radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure.
  • Rapid Coverage: 
      • NISAR is designed to scan the entire Earth every 12 days.
      • This rapid revisiting is crucial for observing and understanding temporal changes in the environment, such as shifting vegetation patterns, ice dynamics, and other critical parameters.
  • Versatile Monitoring Capabilities: 
    • It will monitor Earth’s ecosystems and dynamics, including forest biomass, ice sheet collapses, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
    • Its radar system can penetrate vegetation and soil to provide three-dimensional reconstructions of structures and changes.

PYQ:

[2015] The term ‘IndARC’ sometimes seen in the news, is the name of?

(a) An indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence.

(b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim.

(c) A scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region.

(d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Tourism Sector

[pib] IMEX 2024, Frankfurt 

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: IMEX-2024

Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of Tourism is actively engaging in IMEX, Frankfurt to position India as a premier MICE destination on the International stage.

Back2Basics: IMEX

  • IMEX is an international trade show for the meetings, events, and incentive travel industry.
  • It stands for “International Meeting Exchange” and is held annually in Frankfurt, Germany.
  • It was established in the year 2001.
  • IMEX provides a platform for professionals in the global events industry to network, conduct business, and gain insights into the latest trends and innovations in event planning and management.
  • IMEX hosts two major annual events:
  1. IMEX America in Las Vegas and
  2. IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany.
  • These events are significant for facilitating connections within the industry, offering extensive educational opportunities, and showcasing industry innovations.

What is MICE Tourism?

  • MICE Tourism refers to “Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions,” representing a sector of the travel industry specializing in the planning and booking of logistics for large and small-scale corporate events.
    • Meetings: Involves small to large gatherings where business topics and are organized to discuss and exchange information.
    • Incentives: Involves company-organized trips as rewards or incentives to employees or partners to motivate them or reward them for their performance.
    • Conferences: These are large gatherings focused on particular topics, where participants discuss issues of mutual interest.
    • Exhibitions: Also known as expos, these events are where businesses showcase and demonstrate their new products and services.
  • This sector is highly valued for its contribution to the economic development of a region by bringing in significant numbers of visitors, who then utilize various services such as hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

India’s Focus on MICE Tourism:

  • Addressing Seasonality: The Ministry of Tourism has identified MICE tourism as a niche sector to mitigate the issue of seasonality and promote India as a year-round destination for international travelers.
  • Meet in India Initiative: Under the umbrella of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign, the Ministry has launched the ‘Meet in India’ sub-brand, aimed at showcasing India’s robust MICE infrastructure, connectivity, and diverse tourist attractions to a global audience.

Success Stories and Global Recognition:

  • G20 Presidency Impact: India’s G20 Presidency witnessed over 200 meetings in 56 cities nationwide, showcasing the country’s strong MICE infrastructure and cultural heritage to the world.
  • Enhanced Global Visibility: Through these initiatives, India has gained prominence as a premier global hub for MICE activities, attracting increased tourism and business opportunities both domestically and internationally.
  • ICCA Ranking: India’s efforts have been recognized internationally, positioning the country at the 9th rank in the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) ranking of countries in the Asia Pacific region in 2022.

 

PYQ:

[2017] The term ‘Digital Single Market Strategy’ seen in the news refers to-

(a) ASEAN

(b) BRICS

(c) EU

(d) G20

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

In News: Mahi River 

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Mahi River and its tributaries; its source, catchment area; dams

Mains level: NA

Why in the News?

Incidences of people drowning down into the Mahi River have become more frequent.

About Mahi River

  • The Mahi River originates in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh (hot semi-arid and watershed region), near Dhar.
  • It flows northward through Madhya Pradesh before turning westward upon entering Rajasthan. It then moves southwest, passing through Gujarat, and eventually empties into the Arabian Sea.
  • The river stretches for about 580 kilometers.
    • Soil Type: The Mahi River Basin consists of Deep Black soil (southern region) and Alluvial soil (northern region).
    • Major Tributaries: the Som, the Anas, the Panam, and the Goma.
    • Major Dams: Kadana Dam and the Mahi Bajaj Sagar (Banswara) Dam are significant hydroelectric and irrigation projects on the Mahi River.
    • Biodiversity: Supports diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like the Indian Skimmer and Gharial.

Key Features:

  • It is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills to the north and northwest, the Malwa Plateau to the east, the Vindhyas to the south, and the Gulf of Khambhat to the west.
  • One of the most notable features of the Mahi River is its crossing of the Tropic of Cancer twice; once in Madhya Pradesh and again near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border.

PYQ:

[2017] With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:

1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.

2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.

3. River Teesta falls into Bay of Bengal at the border of India and Bangladesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

With inputs from: https://indiawris.gov.in/downloads/Mahi%20Basin.pdf

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

[pib] Rabindranath Tagore and his legacy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Eminent Personalities; Rabindranath Tagore;

Mains level: NA

Why in the news?

The Conservation and Cultural Archives Division of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) hosted an exhibition and lecture celebrating Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary in New Delhi.

Tagore’s Journey to France

  • Tagore had visited the battlefields of the First World War, highlighting his deep humanity.
  • The narrative includes mentions of Alexandra David Neel, who recommended Tagore during his European tours, and Victoria Ocampo, who taught French to Tagore, enhancing his connection with French culture and intellectual society.

About Rabindranath Tagore

Details
Birth and Early Life – Born on May 7, 1861, in Calcutta, India.
Literary Career – Published his first poems at age 16 under the pen-name ‘Bhanusimha’.

– Key works include “Gitanjali“, “Ghare-Baire“, “Gora“, and “Manasi“.

Music and Art – Composed over 2,000 songs known as ‘Rabindra Sangeet’.

– Our National Anthem was composed by him and it was first sung on 27 December 1911 at the Calcutta Session of INC.

– Created more than 2,000 paintings, influenced by European expressionism.

Education – Founded Visva-Bharati University in 1921, integrating Eastern and Western philosophies.
Political Views – He is said to have given the title of ‘Mahatma’ to Mohandas

– Renounced his ‘Knighthood’ (awarded to him in 1915 by the British King George V) in 1919 following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Cultural Influence – Wrote the National Anthems of India (“Jana Gana Mana”) and Bangladesh (“Amar Sonar Bangla”).

– Inspired the national anthem of Sri Lanka through a student.

Awards and Recognition – Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for “Gitanjali“, the first non-European to win.

– Awarded, and later renounced, a knighthood by British King George V in 1915.

Philosophical Contributions – Advocated for the incorporation of the best aspects of Western culture with Indian culture to achieve anti-colonialism.
Death – Passed away on August 7, 1941, in Calcutta.
Legacy – Revered as ‘Gurudev’, ‘Kabiguru’, and ‘Biswakabi’. Highly influential in introducing Indian culture to the West and reshaping Bengali literature and music.
Additional Contributions – Advocated for ‘Unity in Diversity’ and ‘National Integration’.

– Spoke at the World Parliament of Religions, Chicago in 1929 and 1937.

– Modernized Bengali prose and poetry, remembered for songs like ‘Ekla Chalo Re’ and his environmental efforts at Santiniketan.

About Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

  • The IGNCA, New Delhi is a premier government-funded arts organisation in India.
  • It is an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture.
  • It was established on 19 November 1985 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
  • IGNCA is envisioned as a centre for the study and experience of arts in the field of:
  1. Creative literature – written and oral;
  2. Visual arts inclusive of architecture;
  3. Sculpture, painting and graphics to general material culture, photography and film; and
  4. Performing arts of music, dance and theatre.

PYQ:

[2019] Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s Indian Renaissance and the emergence of national identity.

[2021] Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School, later known as Bethune Female School?​

(a) Annie Besant

(b) Debendranath Tagore

(c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

(d) Sarojini Naidu

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Social Media: Prospect and Challenges

AI Content Detectors to Combat Deepfakes

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Emerging Technologies; Deepfake Technology;

Why in the News?

During the General Elections 2024, the proliferation of AI-generated content (AIGC), including deepfake videos featuring prominent figures like Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh, raised concerns about misinformation.

What is Deepfake Technology?

  • It is a type of Artificial Intelligence used to create convincing images, audio and video hoaxes. Deepfakes often transform existing source content where one person is swapped for another.
  • Creating such content involves a technique known as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), comprising Artificial Neural Networks.

Legal Safeguards in India:

  • The regulations under the IT Act of 2000 and 2021 requires social media intermediaries to promptly remove deepfake content. Failure to do so may result in imprisonment or fines.
    • Section 66D: It penalizes individuals for cheating through personation using communication devices or computer resources. (Imprisonment for up to 3 yrs and a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees)
    • Rule 3(1)(b)(vii): This rule mandates that social media intermediaries prevent the hosting of content impersonating others.
    • Rule 3(2)(b): This rule requires social media platforms to remove such content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Significance of Deepfake Technology:

  • Promotes Right to Expression: Deepfakes amplify voices of marginalised individuals, enabling them to share important messages. Recently, a video was created to deliver the final message of a journalist killed by the Saudi government, calling for justice.
  • Can contribute to the Education System: Online educators use deepfakes to bring historical figures to life for engaging lessons. For example, a video of Abraham Lincoln delivering his Gettysburg.
  • Provides Autonomy: Deepfakes empower individuals to control their digital identity and explore new forms of self-expression. For instance, the Reface App.
  • Provides a realistic experience: Artists leverage deepfakes for creative expression and collaboration, as seen in Salvador Dali’s interactive museum promotion. Deepfake tech enables realistic lip-syncing for actors speaking different languages, enhancing global accessibility and immersion in films.
  • Renovating old memories: Deepfakes aid in restoring old photos, enhancing low-quality footage, and creating realistic training materials for public safety.

What are the limitations of Deepfake Technology?

  • Spreading False Information: Deepfakes can purposefully spread misinformation, influencing public opinion or elections, like the videos of politicians/celebrities can manipulate viewers and create confusion about important issues.
  • Frauds: Deepfake technology enables impersonation for financial frauds, tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information. They can also fuel harassment, especially targeting women, and lead to psychological distress.
  • Accuracy: While no AI detector guarantees 100% accuracy, tools like Originality.ai boast a 99% true positive rate. Detection models report probability scores, allowing for nuanced assessments despite inherent uncertainties.

Future Scope:

  • Adversarial AI: Keeping pace with evolving generative AI models poses a significant challenge for content detectors.
  • Accessibility and Cost: With increased adoption and advancements, the accessibility and affordability of detection tools are expected to improve.

PYQ:

With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020)

1.       Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

2.       Create meaningful short stories and songs

3.       Disease diagnosis

4.       Text-to-Speech Conversion

5.       Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

GPT-4o: A Free AI Model with Vision, Text, and Voice

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Emerging Tecnologies; GPT-4o;

Why in the News?

  • OpenAI has launched GPT-4o- a version of the GPT-4 model which powers its ChatGPT.
  • It offers enhanced speed, intelligence, and efficiency across text, vision, and audio, revolutionizing human-to-machine interaction and opening up new possibilities for users worldwide.

About GPT-4o:

  • GPT-4o offers GPT- 4 level intelligence with improved speed and efficiency, making human-to-machine interaction more natural and seamless.(focuses on emotional aspects)
  • It integrates transcription, intelligence, and text-to-speech functionalities seamlessly, eliminating latency and enhancing voice mode capabilities.

Features of GPT-4o

  • Free Access for All: Previously available only to paid users, GPT-4o now provides advanced tools to all users, unlocking over a million GPTs from the GPT store and expanding possibilities for developers.
  • Multilingual and Vision Capabilities: GPT-4o supports over 50 languages and includes vision capabilities, enabling users to upload photos, documents, and access real-time information during conversations.
  • Real-time Conversations: It is able to understand user emotions and provide emotive styles of conversation in real-time.
  • Vision and Coding Support: GPT-4o can solve complex math problems, assist with coding queries, interpret complex charts, and analyze facial expressions in real-time.
  • Translation and Efficiency: GPT-4o offers live real-time translation capabilities and is two times faster, 50% cheaper, and offers 5 times higher rate limits compared to GPT-4 Turbo.

PYQ:

[2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

  1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
  2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
  3. Disease diagnosis
  4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
  5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

💥Mentorship December Batch Launch
💥💥Mentorship December Batch Launch