Proliferation of AI & Robots: Do We Have a Sound Policy to Address Them?

Dr. Asoke K. Laha
Chairman-Emeritus and Founder
InterraIT

The important  challenges digital space is likely to face in the coming days, is the proliferation of robots and the absence of a regulatory system for Artificial Intelligence. AI has many constructive, disruptive, and destructive uses, depending on how one uses it. That is why experts are discussing the pros and cons of AI and gaining insights into the regulatory system that should be built to monitor it. 

At least 60 countries have adopted some form of AI policy. They are conducting public awareness campaigns on AI to frame proactive regulations. Two things are important in this regard; one, the regulations should not hamper the quest for further research, and two, the deployment of AI tools should not interfere with privacy, human freedom, and the right of every individual to have a better living.

Experts are visualizing a scenario where robots take over the role of human beings. That trend is getting traction. That can gradually lead to the irrelevance of human beings as robots can replace them in several spheres.

Let us look at some chilling statistics. As of 2023, there were 42,31,585 robots operational in factories around the world. It is an increase of 10% from the previous year. Annual installations exceeded half a million units for the third consecutive year. Over 70% of the newly deployed robots are in Asia, particularly in China. close to 17% are in Europe and 10% in the US. Interestingly, Singapore has the highest density of robots per population, followed by South Korea, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the US. Asia tops the list of average robot workers at 118 for 10,000 workers, followed by Europe (114) and America (112) closely behind.  

A few pointers have to be taken cognizance of. Foremost, robot deployment is not linked with the demographic profile of a country. For instance, Asian countries like Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and China are deploying more robots than other regions. These countries except China have a small population base. One of the motivating factors for the deployment of robots may be the declining population. But that is not the case with China and India, which together account for over 3 billion people. Can they afford to replace humans with robots, while unemployment is a major concern in these countries especially in India?

What does this suggest? I feel each country should have a country-specific policy on AI suitable to its socioeconomic situation. It augurs well that the countries are evolving such architecture. However, the number of countries trying to evolve a regulatory framework for AI and robots are  increasing. Let us have a look at the regulatory system in some countries.

China is one of the first countries to have a regulatory system for AI and that way for robots as well. China’s AI algorithm regulations took effect on March 1, 2022. It stipulates that businesses will have to provide explainable AI algorithms that are transparent about their purpose.  The regulations also prohibit businesses that rely on AI algorithms from offering different prices to different people based on personal data that they collect. Even then, experts feel that Chinese regulations are very rudimentary since digital breakthroughs take place at a speed nobody can predict. Every time that happens a new set of regulatory frameworks has to emerge to grapple with the situation. 

There is a dichotomy in the implementation of the AI regulatory system in the US. The Federal and State Governments still have not come out with a comprehensive regulatory framework.   The number of federal proposed bills introduced with AI provisions grew from 2 in 2012 to 131 in 2021.  Despite the dramatic increase of bills introduced, the number of bills enacted by the U.S. Congress remains low, with only 2% of the proposed bills ultimately becoming law. 

At the same time, U.S. state legislation, either focused on AI technologies or comprehensive privacy bills with AI provisions, have passed at much higher rates than their federal counterparts.  Some states have proposed bills that would regulate AI technologies in the context of a broader data protection framework, such as those laws recently passed in Virginia, Colorado, and Connecticut which set forth requirements for certain profiling activities that could implicate AI.

On April 22, 2021, the European Commission published a proposal for AI regulation as part of its broader AI package, which includes (i) a legal framework (the EU Artificial Intelligence Act proposed in April, 2021) to address rights and safety risks, (ii) a review of the existing rules on liability (e.g., product liability in the EU) that could apply to AI systems, and (iii) revisions to sector-specific safety regulations (e.g., EU Machinery Regulation).         

The UK is taking an innovation-friendly approach to AI regulation.  On September 22, 2021, the UK Government published the “UK AI Strategy,” a 10-year strategy with three main pillars: (1) investing and planning for the long-term requirements of the UK’s AI ecosystem; (2) supporting the transition to an AI-enabled economy across all UK industry sectors and geographic regions; and (3) ensuring that the UK gets “right” the national and international governance of AI technologies.        

On February 22, 2022, the Indian Department of Telecommunications published a request for comment on a potential framework for fairness assessments concerning AI and ML systems.  In light of bias and the need for ethical principles in the design, development, and deployment of AI, the Department noted in particular that it seeks to establish voluntary fairness assessment procedures.

I have dealt with the impact of AI in some select spheres. In the coming days, AI will be omnipresent. As AI-based technologies take over the conventional ones, there will be a digital divide of a different type. One can easily visualize that situation. Amidst the backdrop of digital money edging out conventional currency, there is a group that refuses to change by sticking to the old format. What do we do about them? As the future is going to be AI-centric, the divide will become more pronounced. The moot point is what we are going to do about those who refuse to follow the new system.  Are they going to be left in a lurch?