Intersection of Productivity and AI – A Critical Review Ms. Yashashree Bhat

Introduction:

The nexus between the productivity and AI is a crucial area in the ever-changing world of modern technology that influence how we work and innovate. AI has become a technology that is transforming the way businesses operate by algorithms and machine learning techniques to automate task that were once performed by people. [1] While AI has several potential benefits, it also poses challenges for businesses. One of the most crucial challenges is the concern for data privacy and security. The more data businesses collect and analyse, the greater the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. Moreover, ethical considerations must be considered, especially with the use of AI in decision-making. If not developed and implemented carefully, AI may perpetuate bias and discrimination. Lastly, the possibility of job displacement is a concern, as AI can automate many tasks typically done by humans. [2]This Article explores the synergies, difficulties and ethical issues that arise at this vertical intersection as it critically analyses how AI effects the productivity across numerous industries. We traverse the complicated terrain where the human brilliance and machine intelligence merge, from simplifying workflows to potential job displacement and evaluates the enormous consequences for our developing understanding of productivity in the twenty first century.

AI and Human Intelligence:

Firstly, AI and its potential to improve decision making process is the cornerstone of its application in business environment. Automating the daily chores is one of the crucial way AI shows its capabilities. AI Algorithm can now perform repetitive tasks that used to take valuable human hours in an efficient manner.? AI driven automations frees up human resource to focus on job that need creativity and cognitive abilities, such as data entry and processing document management. AI is basically about teaching machine to think and learn the way humans do, only faster and more accurately. AI being multifaceted and capable of being scaled, can adapt to almost any task, process large quantities of data with unmatched speed and accuracy. AI has capability to highlight patterns, predict trends, and suggest course of action when needed.

The crucial role of AI is enhancing communication internally and externally as well. With the help of AI- powered chatbots, business can maintain 24/7 customer service replacing the human operators. Internally, AI can aid in smoothening communication, ensuring that the right information reaches right people on right time. This will in turn boost the productivity of human beings leading to beneficial innovation.

A Critical assessment of this automation trend requires an examination of its nuanced effects. While the efficiency gains are obvious, it is critical to examine and note the potential downsides, such as job displacement and need to develop skills to adapt the work force to the evolving technological landscape. Finding the balance between automation and workforce wellbeing is essential for sustainable productivity growth. The automation of positive responsibilities through AI can result in job displacement, specifically in sectors where the routine and repetitive painting is normal. This raise worries about unemployment and the want for regulations that support reemployment and reskilling efforts.[3]

Protecting IP to enhance productivity:

The human productivity is protected by law in terms of protection given to intellectual property rights. India’s IPR framework derives from the Copyright Act 1957 and Patents Act 1970, with amendments over the years. Copyright protects original literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and cinematographic works. Patents cover new inventions with industrial applicability. The DPDP Act also includes provisions addressing profiling and automated decision-making. It mandates explicit consent from individuals when processing personal data using AI algorithms that significantly impact their rights and interests. In both cases, IPR are granted to human creators and owners. However, AI systems has capacity to innovate works and inventions comparable to human outputs using techniques like machine learning. Two appropriate examples are machine learning models that generate new music compositions or chemical structures with desired properties. Copyright and patent laws did not envisage protecting machine-created subject matter also they do not comprehensively address the unique challenges and complexities posed by AI technologies.

However, In the case of Gramophone Company of India Ltd. v. Super Cassettes Industries Ltd. (2011), the Delhi High Court determined that AI-generated music produced by a computer program lacks human creativity and, therefore, is ineligible for copyright protection. This case clarifies the copyright ability of AI-generated content in India. This lack of clarity around AI’s creations obtaining IPR protection poses issues.

Going forward it will be important for the Indian government to develop an intellectual property framework that encourages innovation. AI systems are trained by reading, viewing, and listening to copies of human-created works. These resources such as books, articles, photographs, films, videos, and audio recordings are all key subjects of copyright protection. Copyright law grants exclusive rights to copyright owners, including the right to reproduce their works in copies, and one who violates one of those exclusive rights is an infringer of copyright. AI designs conflicts with tenets of copyright law in India, it poses the latest challenge to copyright law. “If I was asked whether a copy made to train the AI algorithm is a “copy” under the copyright law, and consequently whether such a copy is an infringement, my answer in the light of current law as it stands is a big yes and, in some cases, even data theft within the meaning of section 43(a) read with section 66 of The IT Act, 2000”.[4]

Future of AI Driven Technology:

The advent of AI in corporates has pushed the organizations to handle vast amount of sensitive data raising the concerns about data privacy regulations. In India, NITI Aayog released a policy paper, ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’, on June 2018, which considered the importance of AI in different sectors. Consequent budgets also proposed to launch a national programme on AI. While all these developments are taking place on the technological front, no comprehensive legislation to regulate this growing industry has been formulated in the country till date.[5]

There is a big focus on identifying AI applications for public good, transforming sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, and incentivizing the adoption and promotion of capacity building in AI. Prominently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY), the NITI Aayog, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) are government agencies and sectoral regulators actively involved in this space however their efforts are ad hoc and piecemeal in manner.

?The government has also launched several programmes such as ‘Responsible AI for Youth’ and ‘Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI’ which aim to promote AI technology and social skills, and to enable Indian youth to become designers and users of AI.? These are aimed at familiarizing students with AI skills and to enable them to contribute to AI advancement through social impact solutions and through democratized access to AI tools.[6] The government of India launched National Artificial Intelligence Portal named www.ai.gov.in on 30 May 2020. The portal will serve as a digital marketing platform for AI-related development in India and facilitate investments in artificial intelligence driven technologies.

Industry-led efforts include NASSCOM’s Responsible AI Resource Kit that aims to seed the adoption of responsible AI at scale and NASSCOM’s programme ‘Future Skills Prime’ in collaboration with MeiTY, which is focused on upskilling IT professionals in various areas of emerging technologies, including AI.

As India navigates its own regulatory landscape, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 takes a center stage. Organizations using AI must tread carefully to ensure compliance with the said Act, a legal framework aimed as safeguarding the individual’s privacy and regulating the processing of personal data.

Conclusion:

The integration of AI in businesses offers both advantages and disadvantages. AI has the potential to bring about significant improvements in business operations, such as increased productivity, cost savings, and improved decision-making. Nevertheless, its adoption also poses various challenges, such as data privacy and security concerns, ethical considerations, and the possibility of job displacement.? Businesses must take a collaborative approach and work closely with policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure that AI’s benefits are realized while addressing its potential challenges.

The Absence of proper legal regulations raises concern about potential ethical dilemmas and accountability. As society continues to use AI driven productivity tools, it becomes important to establish a framework that addresses these issues, ensuring the balance between usage of technology and ethical considerations. Striking this balance will be crucial in harnessing the full potential of Ai while safeguarding the individual rights and social well-being.

[1] Jain, R. (April 2, 2023). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business: Opportunities and Challenges,https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4407114

[2] Kshetri, N. (2018). Artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies and their disruptive potentials Strategic Change.

[3] Pranjal, The Growth of AI and Its Impact on Indian Labor Laws, Swipe Blog,3 June 2023, https://getswipe.in/blog/post/ai-and-its-impact-on-indian-labor-laws#:~:text=While%20AI%20affords%20tremendous%20opportunities,and%20repetitive%20painting%20is%20normal

[4] Prashant Mali - Artificial Intelligence and Laws in India,https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/artificial-intelligence-laws-india-msc-comp-sci-llm-

[5] Ibid

[6] Nehaa Chaudhari, Aman Taneja, Namratha Murugeshan - AI, Machine Learning & Big Data Laws and Regulations 2023 , https://www.globallegalinsights.com/practice-areas/ai-machine-learning-and-big-data-laws-and-regulations/india