Are Alternate Data Sources and Frontier Technologies Vital for Policy Making?
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Synopsis
Discover how alternate data sources and frontier technologies are reshaping policy making in India. Professor Ajay Kumar Sood highlights the necessity of integrating traditional and alternative data for effective governance. This insightful discussion reveals the future of data-driven policies.
Key Takeaways
- Integration of traditional and alternative data sources is essential for effective policy making.
- Frontier technologies enable real-time insights, enhancing policy responsiveness.
- Collaboration among various stakeholders is key to successful implementation.
- Ethical deployment of AI is necessary to address data security and privacy concerns.
- India's techno-legal framework for DPI is a global contribution.
New Delhi, June 7 (NationPress) Alternate data sources and frontier technologies are becoming essential in the realm of policy making, as stated by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the government. He emphasized the importance of creating optimal policies that integrate both traditional and alternative data sources.
These high-frequency indicators are more dynamic and provide timely insights, making policies more agile and responsive, he indicated during an event organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in partnership with NITI Aayog and the World Bank.
“While traditional data sources show us our past, alternate data sources reveal our future directions,” Professor Sood noted. He explained that although alternate data sources deliver real-time information with greater granularity, they cannot supplant traditional data sources.
The event saw participation from over 450 individuals representing central ministries, state governments, international organizations including the World Bank, academic institutions, and private sector entities.
Professor Sood also showcased various instances where alternate data sources have been successfully utilized. He highlighted the necessity for collaboration among government, academia, researchers, industry, and international organizations to effectively leverage new technologies.
He further advocated for the ethical use of AI, stressing that data security and privacy concerns must not be overlooked. He asserted that the establishment of a techno-legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) represents a significant contribution from India to the global landscape.
Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, described the policy-making process as intricate, involving data collection, stakeholder consultations, and insight generation.
“AI/ML advancements have enabled timely data processing for actionable policy design. In today's world, the challenge is not merely data collection but interpreting that data. The true challenge lies in addressing data privacy, security, regulatory frameworks, and institutional readiness,” he remarked.
Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary of MoSPI, underscored the importance of fostering collaboration among various stakeholders to build a robust statistical system that meets the data requirements for policy making.
He anticipates that within the next 3-6 months, MoSPI will implement some identified use cases to leverage alternate data sources and the application of frontier technologies.
Point of View
I believe that incorporating alternate data sources and frontier technologies into policy making is vital for adapting to the rapidly changing landscape. This integration not only enhances responsiveness but also promotes ethical governance practices, ensuring that data privacy and security are upheld in our pursuit of innovation.
NationPress
07/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are alternate data sources important for policy making?
Alternate data sources provide real-time insights that enhance the agility and responsiveness of policies, allowing for better decision-making.
How can frontier technologies improve policy development?
Frontier technologies such as AI and machine learning facilitate the timely processing of data, making it easier to design actionable policies.
What role does collaboration play in effective policy making?
Collaboration among government, academia, and industry is essential for leveraging new technologies and ensuring that data-driven policies meet the needs of all stakeholders.
What are the ethical considerations in using AI for policy making?
Data security and privacy concerns must be prioritized, ensuring that ethical frameworks guide the deployment of AI in policy development.
What is the significance of the techno-legal framework for DPI?
The techno-legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure is aimed at providing a structured approach to data governance, which can serve as a model for other countries.
