ChatGPT reveals opportunities and perils of AI: CAG Murmu

Today’s most talked about artificial intelligence app — Chat GPT—has put the spotlight on the opportunities and threats that the expanded use technology present, Comptroller and Auditor General of India GC Murmu said today at the opening session of the three day G20 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) summit in Goa.

“At an individual layman level, Chat GPT compelled us to recognise it and also triggered the debate of its utility vis-à-vis its risks, especially if recklessly used by young students,” Murmu said, adding that amid the possibility and perils of AI, it is essential that policy makers put in place processes to responsibly harness the potential of technology.

Responsible use of artificial intelligence and blue economy are the two main focus areas of the CAG along with other SAIs of the G20 block.

While AI is rapidly making inroads in daily lives, threats related to data protection and privacy have also risen.

Murmu underlined that AI-based decisions must be inclusive without biases or violations of privacy.

“Considering the power, possibility and perils of AI, it is essential that policy makers put in place processes to responsibly harness the potential of this technology,” Murmu said.

Murmu also noted that Geoffrey Hinton, hailed as the ‘Godfather of Al’ and credited with knowledge of how the brain works, is now worried with the misuse of technology. Murmu quoted Hinton as saying ‘it is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things.

Murmu also noted that Google CEO Sundar Pichai held that AI development needs inputs from social scientists, ethicists and philosophers as technology must be aligned to human values including morality.

He added that the SAI20 community must prioritise collaborations in adopting new techniques, skills, capabilities and methods to keep ahead of the curve.

Meanwhile, to further develop the audit system for the blue economy, Murmu announced the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in the Blue Economy at SAI India’s International Centre for Environment Audit and Sustainable Development at Jaipur.

India, with a coastline of about 7.5 thousand kilometres has carved out a blueprint on the blue economy. In this auditing of the growing blue economy in relation to sustainable development will be crucial.

“While the oceans unite the globe in providing sustenance, employment, connectivity and resources, it is artificial Intelligence that brings us together through a global network of shared data, technologies and capabilities.,” Murmu said, adding that technology will also impact lives today as well that of the future generations.

The CAG is currently chairing the SAI20 as part of India’s G20 presidency.

Also read: At G20 India to push for AI, technology to set new global auditing standards