InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
- Regulating Artificial Intelligence
Content for Mains Enrichment
- Odisha’s Transformation in Food Security
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- Koya Tribes
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75
- Cauvery basin
- Operation Storm Makers II
Mapping
- Banni Grassland
Regulating Artificial Intelligence
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Governance
Context: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has released a paper “A Complex Adaptive System Framework to Regulate AI”. Also, the European Union (EU) has reached a historic provisional deal on the world’s first comprehensive laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI).
EAC-PM paper proposes a novel AI regulation framework based on a Complex Adaptive System, with five key principles:
- Specialist Regulator: Establishing an expert regulatory body with a broad mandate and swift responsiveness.
- Transparency: Open licensing of core algorithms for external audits and continuous monitoring of AI systems to ensure transparency.
- AI Accountability: Mandating standardized incident reporting protocols to document system aberrations or failures and define clear lines of accountability.
- Manual ‘Overrides’ and ‘Authorization Chokepoints’: Empowering humans to intervene when AI systems behave erratically through mandated manual controls.
- Guardrails and Partitions: Implementing clear boundary conditions to limit undesirable AI behaviours.
Key Components of the EU Framework for AI Regulation:
| Components | Details |
| Safeguards in Legislation | Empowerment of Consumers: Individuals have the ability to launch complaints against perceived AI violations. |
| Clear boundaries are set on AI usage by law enforcement agencies. | |
| Strong restrictions on facial recognition technology and AI manipulation of human behaviour are specified. | |
| Tough penalties for companies found breaking the rules. | |
| Limitations on governments for use of real-time biometric surveillance in public areas (allowed only in cases of serious threats like terrorist attacks) | |
| Categorization of AI Applications | AI applications are classified into four risk categories based on their level of risk and invasiveness. |
| 1. Banned Applications: Mass-scale facial recognition and behavioural control AI applications are largely banned, with exemptions for law enforcement. | |
| 2. High-Risk Applications: Allowed with certification and provision for backend technique transparency, such as AI tools for self-driving cars. | |
| 3. Medium-Risk Applications: Deployable without restrictions, like generative AI chatbots, with explicit disclosure to users about AI interaction, transparency obligations, and detailed tech documentation. | |
| 4. Low-risk applications with transparency obligations. | |
| Other EU’s Regulatory Achievements | General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Implementation: Enforced since May 2018, focusing on privacy and explicit consent for data processing. |
| Digital Services Act (DSA): Focus on regulating hate speech, counterfeit goods, etc. | |
| Digital Markets Act (DMA): Identifying “dominant gatekeeper” platforms and addressing non-competitive practices and dominance abuse. |
Concerns related to AI use:
| Concerns | Explanation |
| Privacy | Risk of personal and sensitive information being used unethically, such as for targeted advertising or political manipulation. |
| Responsibility | AI models generating new content may lead to challenges in identifying responsibility, causing ethical dilemmas over the content’s origin. |
| Automation and Job Displacement | AI’s potential to automate processes raises concerns about job displacement, impacting those skilled in the automated areas. |
| Bias and Discrimination | AI training on biased data may result in decisions that unfairly disadvantage certain groups, perpetuating societal inequalities and discrimination. |
| Lack of Transparency | Concerns about accountability for AI actions, questioning whether responsibility lies with creators, deploying companies, or regulating governments. |
India’s Stance on AI Regulation:
India aims to develop sovereign AI and AI computing infrastructure, focusing on real-life applications in healthcare, agriculture, governance, language translation, etc., to catalyse economic development.
Currently, India is transitioning from a no-regulation stance on AI to actively formulating regulations based on a risk-based, user-harm approach. India’s AI penetration factor is 3.09, the highest among G20 and OECD countries. Some of the initiatives are:
- Awareness Initiatives like #AIFORALL
- NITI Aayog’s National Strategy for AI (2018) focused on inclusive and responsible AI
- NITI Aayog’s ‘Principle of Responsible AI,‘ outlines seven key principles for AI use
- Meity launched IndiaAI in 2023, covering all AI-related research.
- TRAI proposed a domestic statutory authority for AI regulation in July 2023, emphasizing a risk-based framework.
- Ethical guidelines for AI in healthcare by the Indian Council of Medical Research
- SEBI’s circular guiding AI policies in the capital market
- National Education Policy 2020 recommends integrating AI awareness into school courses.
Initiatives by other countries:
| Country | Initiative |
| G7 | The Group of Seven (G7) has proposed a “risk-based” regulation for artificial intelligence (AI) tools, which could be a first step towards creating a template to regulate AI such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard |
| Italy | Became the first major Western country to ban OpenAI’s ChatGPT due to privacy concerns. |
| UK | Adopts a ‘light-touch’ approach to encourage innovation in the AI industry. |
| Japan | Takes an accommodative approach to AI developers. |
| China | Drafted a 20-point plan to regulate generative AI services, expected to be enforced later this year. |
| US | Proposed a nonbinding roadmap, the AI Bill of Rights Blueprint, outlining five core principles for the responsible use of AI. |
Conclusion:
Although the risks of AI are widely known, it remains unclear how the AI regulations would address these risks and how grievances would be remedied. Previously, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and over 15,000 others had called for a six-month pause in AI development, and for shared safety protocols to be implemented by labs and independent experts.
Insta Links:
Prelims Links:
Q1. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC 2020)
- Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
- Create meaningful short stories and songs
- Disease diagnosis
- Text-to-Speech Conversion
- Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: B
Odisha’s Transformation in Food Security
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: TH
Context: The article discusses Odisha’s successful transformation in addressing food security and climate resilience, offering a potential model for other regions facing the challenges of the global climate crisis.
Odisha’s journey:
- Agricultural Transformation: Over the past two decades, Odisha has shifted from importing rice to becoming a significant producer, achieving its highest food grain production in 2022. Productivity has tripled. Schemes like Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) and the Odisha Millet Mission have focused on increasing income for small farmers and promoting crop diversification for climate resilience.
- Resilience and Sustainability: Odisha, being vulnerable to climate change, has proactively developed a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan covering various sectors E.g., Crop Weather Watch Group monitoring and responding to adverse weather conditions.
- Social Protection: In the State Ranking Index for the National Food Security Act, Odisha emerged as the top-ranked state in 2022, showcasing its commitment to food security, livelihood, and climate resilience initiatives.
Usage: The example can be used in Governance/ Social Justice Qn to showcase a state’s transformation from food scarcity to surplus.
Koya Tribes
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The indigenous Koya tribe in Andhra Pradesh, residing in the Papikonda hill range, has embraced eco-friendly practices to conserve the Indian Bison (Bos gaurus).
- Koyas have replaced traditional Indian Bison horns with palm leaves to craft their traditional flute, Permakor
What is Permakore?
Permakore is a traditional flute, originally made from Indian Bison horns, and is now created using palm leaves as an eco-friendly alternative. The flute serves as a communication tool during hunting, celebrations, and festivals.
About
Papikonda National Park is situated near Rajamahendravaram in the Papi Hills of Andhra Pradesh. Since 2014, no part of Papikonda has extended beyond East and West Godavari districts due to the construction of the Polavaram Dam.
The Papikondalu Hill Range, also known as the Bison Hill Range, was declared a sanctuary in 1978 and upgraded to a national park in 2008, with the Indian Bison as its megafauna species.
About Koya Tribes:
| Aspect | Details |
| Koya Tribe Overview | The Koya tribe is the largest Adivasi tribe in Telangana, listed as a Scheduled Tribe in the region. The community is widespread across the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. |
| Self-Identification | Koyas commonly refer to themselves as Dorala Sattam (Lords group) and Putta Dora (original lords). In their dialect, they are known as “Koitur,” akin to Gonds. |
| Habitat and Livelihood | The Godavari and Sabari rivers significantly influence the economic, social, and cultural life of the Koyas. Primarily settled cultivators, they grow crops like Jowar, Ragi, Bajra, and other millets. |
| Language | Telgu |
| Religion and Festivals | Key deities for the Koyas include Lord Bhima, Korra Rajulu, Mamili, and Potaraju. Major festivals include Vijji Pandum (seeds charming festival) and Kondala Kolupu (festival to appease Hill deities). |
| Traditional Dance | Koyas engage in a vibrant dance called Permakok ata (Bison horn dance) during festivals and marriage ceremonies. |
Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The UDHR, marking its 75th anniversary, remains a foundational document in the quest for global human rights and dignity.
About the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
| Aspect | Description |
| Approval Date | December 10, 1948 |
| Purpose | To establish a global framework guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of individuals worldwide. |
| Key Features | Recognizes inherent dignity as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace. |
| Declares human rights as universal, applicable to all people regardless of location or identity. | |
| Components | Preamble and 30 articles outlining fundamental rights and freedoms. |
| Covers civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. | |
| Drafting Committee | Chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt; included members from eight countries, reflecting global diversity. |
| Participating Countries | Over 50 U.N. member countries contributed to the drafting including India |
| Achievements | Inspirational foundation for over 70 global and regional human rights treaties. |
| Influenced movements like decolonization, anti-apartheid, and freedom struggles worldwide. | |
| Challenges | Not legally binding, leading to misuse and abuse. |
| Faces challenges in conflicts like Israel-Hamas, Russia-Ukraine, and internal conflicts in Myanmar and Sudan. | |
| India’s Contribution | At various stages of drafting, India was represented by Hansa Mehta, M.R. Masani and Lakshmi Menon, who made a series of substantive contributions to the numerous articles that made up the UDHR |
| Hansa Mehta, also a member of India’s Constituent Assembly, is credited with altering “All men are born free and equal” to “All human beings are born free and equal” in Article 1 of the UDHR |
Cauvery basin
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Cauvery basin has witnessed the loss of approximately 12,850 sq. km of natural vegetation between 1965 and 2016, with Karnataka accounting for three-fourths of the decline, according to a study by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
- Karnataka has just around 20% of the area under forest cover
More about the Research:
- 46% reduction in natural vegetation cover, with dense vegetation decreasing by 35% and degraded vegetation by 63%.
- Adverse changes in forest cover in areas such as the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and national parks like Bandipur and Nagarhole.
- Recommendations: Integrated catchment management, sustainable agricultural practices
About Cauvery River
It is the third largest river – after Godavari and Krishna – in southern India, and the largest in the state of Tamil Nadu, known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil. Originates in Karnataka (Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district) and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal. Its left bank tributaries include Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi, while right bank tributaries consist of Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and Amaravathi.
Operation Storm Makers II
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Interpol’s “Operation Storm Makers II” has exposed a growing trend where human trafficking victims are forced to commit cyber fraud.
- The operation, involving Indian enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of 281 individuals across different countries on charges including human trafficking, passport forgery, corruption, telecommunications fraud, and sexual exploitation.
- The trend of trafficking victims being coerced into cyber fraud was first highlighted by Interpol in June, revealing a global issue with billions of dollars in annual revenue generated by scam syndicates.
Banni Grassland
Mapping
Source: IE
Context: The central government has approved a proposal to establish a cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s Kutch district’s Banni grassland.
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Banni Grassland is situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. |
| Size | It is considered to be the largest Grassland in Asia, spreading over 2,618 kilometres and accounting for almost 45% of the pastures in Gujarat. |
| Formation | The land in Banni was formed from the sediments deposited by the Indus and other rivers over thousands of years. |
| Ecosystem | Two ecosystems, wetlands, and grasslands, coexist in Banni. |
| Vegetation | The vegetation is sparse and highly dependent on rainfall. It is dominated by low-growing forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt-tolerant). The grasslands were traditionally managed by a system of rotational grazing. |
| Flora and Fauna | Rich biodiversity with 192 species of plants, 262 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is also known for the Banni breed of buffaloes |
| Reserve Forest Status | In 1955, the court notified the grassland as a reserve forest. In 2019, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered to demarcation of the boundaries of Banni grassland and restricted non-forest activities. |
| Most of the livestock keepers in Banni belong to the Maldhari community. They rear the Banni or Sindhi buffalo, Kankrej cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and camels | |
| Significance | The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has identified Banni Grassland as one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetah in India. |
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