New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) India is prepared to assume a more significant role globally in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven climate initiatives, declared Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences. However, Singh remarked that climate change is a matter of utmost importance that cannot be addressed by a single nation alone, emphasizing the necessity for countries to collaborate across borders.

He made these statements during the Technology and Innovation Conclave 2.0, a joint event organized by the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).

Moreover, the Minister noted that India has transitioned from an inward-looking stance and is now expected to offer innovative ideas and solutions to global climate and technological challenges.

“The diverse geography of India provides a unique advantage for studying climate impacts and formulating adaptable solutions that can be shared internationally,” he stated.

Singh also connected AI to India’s broader technology agenda, highlighting that the nation is a frontrunner in emerging fields such as quantum technologies, having already initiated a national quantum mission.

He described artificial intelligence as equally revolutionary, underscoring its critical role in analyzing climate data, predicting disasters, and managing resources.

Providing practical examples, the Minister mentioned that AI-powered models are currently utilized in disaster management and environmental monitoring, particularly in assessing extreme weather events. Additionally, he referenced AI's application in healthcare, where diagnostics that once took days can now be completed in mere minutes, and in drug trials, where technology is enhancing both speed and accuracy.

Singh also issued a strong warning against the unchecked or uncritical use of AI, stressing the need for it to operate in conjunction with human judgement.

“Artificial Intelligence should be employed alongside human insight, institutional collaboration, and international partnerships to effectively tackle climate change and enhance resilience against extreme weather,” Singh asserted.

He highlighted the need for integrated models that merge artificial intelligence with human oversight, judgement, and empathy.

“One must possess the intelligence to utilize artificial intelligence,” he remarked, emphasizing that technology should be viewed as a vital tool rather than a replacement for human accountability.