A recent report by India’s G20 task force has recommended identifying a dedicated body to spearhead the growth of digital public infrastructure or DPI in developing countries, especially those in the Global South.
The final report of the ‘India’s G20 Task Force on Digital Public Infrastructure’ released last week, recognized India’s leading role in developing innovative digital solutions. However, it noted that if India wishes to retain its position as a pioneer in this sector, it needs to take on additional responsibilities to ensure these technologies benefit more nations globally.
Specifically, the task force suggested setting up an institution with an international remit to harness synergies across DPI ecosystems in multiple regions and countries. It stated this body should have the ability to formulate policies and implement strategies involving relevant technical and academic experts. Importantly, the organization could promote knowledge-sharing on DPI and guide nations in effectively utilizing their resources through DPI deployment.
The report also emphasized how integrating artificial intelligence or AI with DPIs can elevate their capabilities. However, it warned such integration must follow ethical AI principles and data privacy safeguards. It highlighted how AI can spur DPI innovation if open datasets and reusable AI tools are made available to developers, helping drive market advances leveraging public computation. Overall, the task force underlined how DPI approaches can support responsible AI growth serving all citizens.
