GPAI and its Importance
- GPAI is a multi-stakeholder initiative bridging AI theory with real-world practice.
- It brings together governments, industry, academia, and civil society experts.
- The partnership promotes the responsible and human-centric evolution of AI.
- It is built around the OECD Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence.
- Launched in 2020 with 15 members, it now includes 28 countries and the EU.
Core Themes and Functional Priorities
- GPAI works on Responsible AI, Data Governance, Future of Work, and Innovation.
- Responsible AI promotes fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.
- Data governance ensures ethical data use and privacy protection.
- The Future of Work theme studies AI’s impact on employment.
- Innovation and commercialisation aim to balance economic growth with safeguards.
India’s Leadership and the New Delhi Declaration (2023)
- India became GPAI Council Chair in November 2022, succeeding France.
- The New Delhi Declaration (2023) emphasised risk mitigation in AI systems.
- It recognised AI’s potential for growth, innovation, and job creation.
- The declaration flagged concerns about misinformation, bias, and unemployment.
- It prioritised inclusion of low and middle-income countries in AI governance.
Balancing Risk and Innovation: New Delhi vs Bletchley
- The Bletchley Declaration (2023) focused primarily on frontier AI risks.
- Frontier AI refers to powerful foundation models posing public safety concerns.
- It emphasised security and safety of advanced AI systems.
- In contrast, the New Delhi Declaration balanced regulation with innovation.
- It supported AI applications in agriculture, healthcare, and development sectors.
Broader Global Governance Context
- The OECD is an intergovernmental organisation with 38 member countries.
- GPAI reflects emerging norms in global digital and AI governance.
- China, despite being a major AI power, is not a member.
- GPAI demonstrates efforts to build democratic consensus on AI regulation.
- It seeks to align technological advancement with human rights and democratic values.
Conclusion
- GPAI represents an effort to humanise and democratise AI governance globally. India’s leadership reflects its aspiration to shape inclusive digital norms. The challenge remains balancing innovation, security, and social justice.