The Indian Navy plans to launch major projects that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Along with the centres of excellence, the Navy has organised seminars and workshops with academics and experts for its personnel, focussing on capacity building. An official stated that the Navy is progressing around 30 AI projects that encompass autonomous systems, language translation, predictive maintenance, inventory management, text mining, perimeter security, maritime domain awareness, and decision making. The AI initiatives are envisaged to have both tactical and strategic level impacts.
From 19 to 22 January, INS Valsura, the Indian Navy’s premier technical institute, organised a workshop, “Leveraging AI for Indian Navy”. Representatives from leading tech giants shared insights from the industry during the event. Academicians from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi (IIT-Delhi), the New York University, the Amrita University, and the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA-IICT) spoke about AI applications. According to a news report, the keynote address of the workshop was delivered by the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Southern Naval Command. During his speech, he emphasised the importance of AI technology and its application in the activities of the Navy. The webinar was attended by over 500 participants from across the country. The Navy looks forward to unifying and reorganising its enterprise data, as data is the soul of all AI-based projects, the report added.
Regarding their upcoming venture, in a statement, the Indian Navy announced they are currently in the process of creating a centre of excellence (CoE) in AI at INS Vasura. Located at Jamnagar, INS Valsura has already been designated as the CoE in the field of big data and a state-of-the-art lab on AI and Big Data Analysis (BDA) was set up in January 2020. The Navy has formed an AI core group, which meets twice a year for all initiatives related to AI and ML. It conducts periodic reviews of AI projects to ensure adherence to the promulgated timelines. The Navy also conducts training in AI/ ML across all levels of speciality for its officers and sailors.
The training is held both within the Navy’s own training schools as well as renowned IITs. Navy personnel has undergone a variety of AI-linked courses over the last three years. These initiatives are in line with the government’s aim to make India a global leader in AI, ensuring responsible and transformational AI for all.
With government initiatives such as Digital India, AI has gotten a significant boost over the last few years. The government is using AI widely to manage traffic flows, improve their digital exchange systems, and improve criminal investigations. In the industry, AI is being deployed for several operations like inventory tracking and management, data sharing and perception, enhanced customer experience, improved hiring processes, data mining, and optimisation for businesses. The AI market in India is expected to grow at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.2% and reach US$7.8 billion in total revenues by 2025.