Commerce Ministry identifying AI-proof professions, sectors where India can take global lead: Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the government is identifying professions that are less vulnerable to artificial intelligence AI to tap opportunities for India to emerge as a global leader according to news agency PTIAmid the fastchanging technological landscape the focus would be on sectors where AI could improve efficiency without replacing humans while leveraging Indias large pool skilled workforce he saidI got my ministry to start working on what are the AIproof professions After all we have to plan as a nation for so many millions of people What are the sectors where AI can at max add to efficiency not necessarily replace human workforce the Goyal said while addressing Indian science and technology researchers and students in GermanySectors where India can leverageAccording to Goyal India could take global leadership in several areas including handicrafts handloom culinary arts and tourism leveraging its vast pool of skilled talent and youthful populationIn these sectors traditional skills and human creativity remain important he said our handicraft handloom no amount of AI can replace that So there are many many areas where I think we have some very special strengths which we will be focusing on also simultaneously developing to ensure that 14 billion people have a better life in the future he addedOn government incentives to these sectors Goyal said support would be extended wherever necessary but incentives would not be required for every activityItll be a mix of several initiatives some privately led some government led some people led some opportunity led he saidHe added that the broader objective was to develop the countrys strengths and create opportunities that would help to improve the lives of its populationGovt wants Indian researchers to return and contribute to Indias successThe minister spoke about reverse brain drain and said India was exploring ways to attract Indian researchers engineers and scientists working abroad to return and contribute to the countrys developmentIve asked them the researchers and students here to tell us what they will need to consider the idea and how we can support more young researchers or our talented engineers and scientific community to come and work and serve in India he saidHe pointed out that attracting talent was not limited to financial incentives but entailed creating a supportive environment for research and innovationAnd surprisingly I realise its not just about money its about the enabling environment the support of the ecosystem So I will talk to my colleagues in the government with educational institutions both in the government and private sector with academia with leading research institutions in India and industry to see how we can forge industry academia and researchers partnerships he saidNoting that there are about 330000 people of Indian origin in Germany and over 6070000 students he said This large Indian student community full of enthusiasm seems to be very excited about taking their learnings back to India Now we can see them not just looking for a job in Germany but wanting to be back home to contribute to the India growth story because that is where the action isFuture trade growthOn future global growth prospects the Union Minister said developed countries would increasingly need to engage with emerging economies in Asia Africa and Latin America as these regions would drive future growthGoyal is on an official visit to Germany to discuss ways with government and private sector leaders to boost trade and investment between India and GermanyWith inputs from PTI