PRELIMS
World’s First AI Minister – Albania
Why in News: Albania has appointed Diella, an AI-generated bot, as the world’s first AI minister to manage and award all public tenders for government projects.
Objective: Enhance transparency, minimize corruption, and improve efficiency in governance.
Role of AI in Public Service & Governance
Enhanced Decision-Making:
- AI applications in healthcare, urban planning, traffic management, disaster & pandemic response.
- Example: RAHAT app optimises relief operations during disasters.
Objectivity & Anti-Corruption:
- Automated systems reduce discretionary bias in welfare and service delivery.
Public Interaction:
- Chatbots and apps like UMANG manage citizen inquiries and grievance redressal.
Inclusivity & Accessibility:
- Bhashini platform enables multilingual access to digital government services.
Issues & Challenges
- Democratic Legitimacy: AI cannot replace elected officials’ accountability to people.
- Social Justice Risks: Mis-flagging in AI-based DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) may deny welfare/healthcare.
- Bias & Discrimination: AI reflects dataset biases; Example: US predictive policing disproportionately targeted minorities.
- Transparency & Accountability: Black-box nature of advanced AI models makes reasoning opaque.
- Other Issues: Privacy concerns, data sovereignty, lack of legal clarity in assigning responsibility for AI errors.
Taiwan Strait Passage
Why in News: China’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, crossed the Taiwan Strait for the first time during sea trials, en route to the South China Sea for training and scientific experiments.
Key Places in News
- Taiwan Strait: Narrow body of water separating China and Taiwan; geopolitically sensitive route.
- South China Sea: Region of frequent maritime disputes, claimed partly or wholly by China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
- Senkaku Islands: Disputed islands in the East China Sea, administered by Japan, claimed by China (Diaoyu) and Taiwan.
- Fujian (Carrier): China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier; undergoing sea trials before commissioning.
Strategic Context
- China states the passage was the “most reasonable route” and not targeting others.
- Seen as a warning signal to the U.S. and allies, who periodically send warships through the Strait to assert freedom of navigation.
- Japan’s military confirmed spotting the carrier near Senkaku Islands.
AI Mental Health Programme
Why in News: On World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, AIIMS Delhi launched Never Alone, an AI-based mental health programme to address student suicides and promote awareness.
Key Features
- Mode: Web-based app accessible via WhatsApp; 24×7 virtual + offline consultations.
- Coverage: Affordable – ~70 paise per student/day (for institutions with 5,000+ students).
- Institutions: Initially at AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, IHBAS (Shahdara); expansion planned nationwide.
- Support: Free for all AIIMS through Global Centre of Integrative Health (GCIH), backed by AIIMS alumnus Dr. Deepak Chopra.
- Focus: Screening → Intervention → Post-intervention follow-up.
Background
- India reported 1.7 lakh suicides in 2022 (highest in 5 decades).
- 35% deaths in age group 18–30 years.
- WHO: 1 suicide every 45 seconds globally; 73% in low & middle-income countries.
- Mental health stigma & 70–80% treatment gap in India.
Significance
- Targets college & university students, a high-risk group.
- Cost-effective, scalable model using AI + digital platforms.
- Aims to reduce stigma, ensure confidentiality, and improve mental health accessibility.
Sedimentation Crisis
Why in News: An IISER Bhopal study (2025) reveals that dams in India have lost nearly 50% of their storage capacity due to sedimentation, undermining flood control, drought protection, and power generation.
Key Findings
- Reservoirs Studied: 300+ large reservoirs (>100 million cubic meters).
- By 2050: More reservoirs, esp. in Himalayan region, Narmada-Tapi basin, Western Ghats, Indo-Gangetic Plains, may lose ~50% capacity.
- Causes: Agriculture-driven soil erosion, deforestation, flooding.
Dams in India – Facts & Concerns
- India = 3rd largest dam-owning nation (after China & USA).
- ~5700 large dams.
Concerns:
- 80% are 25+ years old → ageing.
- Many located in seismically active zones → earthquake vulnerability.
- Poor finances → irregular maintenance.
Way Ahead
- Decommissioning ageing dams where necessary.
- Adoption of state-of-the-art dam safety tech.
- Japan model: Sub-surface dams as alternative.
- Prioritised management of high-vulnerability reservoirs.
Initiatives for Dam Safety
- Dam Safety Act, 2021 – Provides legal framework for surveillance, inspection & maintenance.
- DRIP (Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project): World Bank supported.
- National Centre for Earthquake Safety of Dams – Enhances structural & seismic safety.
- DHARMA app – Dam health monitoring.
- NRLD – National Register of Large Dams.
AI Scams Surge in India
Why in News: India has reported a sharp rise in AI-driven scams via WhatsApp, SMS, and phone calls, exploiting fear, urgency, and trust.
About AI
Intelligence (AI): Technology enabling machines to perform tasks requiring human intelligence.
Key components: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP.
Applications: ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, Claude (Anthropic), Bhashini, Haptik, Karya, Rephrase.ai, Saarthi AI, Vernacular.ai (Skit.ai).
Types of AI Scams
- Voice Cloning: Impersonating relatives, hiring managers.
- OTP Frauds: Call merging, phishing, SIM swap.
- Email & Deepfake Calls: AI-powered spear phishing.
- Digital Arrest: Fake police/agency intimidation.
- Loan App Frauds: AI-generated threats, extortion.
- Fake Investments: Fraudulent dashboards & AI chatbots.
- Romance/Deepfake Scams: Fake profiles & videos.
- Deepfake Extortion: Explicit fabricated videos → blackmail.
Rising Threats in India
- 83% victims of AI voice scams lost money.
- 48% lost over ₹50,000.
- 69% cannot distinguish real vs AI-generated voice.
- 47% have been victims or know someone affected (global avg: 25%).
Preventive Measures
- Report on cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.
- Verify notices only on official portals.
- Avoid unverified loan/trading apps.
- Keep evidence (screenshots, messages) for investigation.
