How AI can increase the reach of India's public welfare programmes and make them efficient

By Sanjeev Sharma India, the second most populous country in the world, runs a host of socially beneficial programs. Most of such programs aim to reach the millions of people who live in remote areas of our extensive nation. From providing mid-day meals for under-privileged school children to making modern healthcare accessible to residents of far-flung rural areas, our nation spends significant resources to ensure its policies reach the right people at the right time. Making sure government services reach all 1.3 billion citizens, including those residing in remote regions, is a daunting task. AI-powered systems can become leapfrog technologies for our nation, transforming the reach and effectiveness of public welfare programs. A study by consultancy firm Accenture showed AI could boost India's annual growth rate by 1.3 percentage points by 2035.