Tue Nov 12 07:06:25 UTC 2024: ## India Needs an AI Sandbox: A Call for Controlled Innovation

**Amidst the growing hype surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is a pressing need for controlled experimentation to avoid potential societal upheaval, argues Umakant Soni, chairman of AIfoundry and co-founder of ARTPARK.**

Soni draws a parallel between the current AI landscape and the fictional “Wild Robot” film, highlighting the dangers of unbridled AI development. He warns that the current “gold rush” mentality ignores the significant risks associated with AI, especially deepfakes, which are already causing real-world harm. He points to the recent deepfake scams targeting wealthy Indians as a stark example.

Soni criticizes both the US’s unregulated approach and the EU’s overly restrictive policies, advocating for a balanced model. He proposes the creation of “AI Cities” in India, serving as “sandboxes” for controlled AI experimentation. These cities would house specially designed infrastructure and legal frameworks to enable safe development and deployment of AI, encompassing areas like autonomous mobility, healthcare, and education.

Soni envisions these AI cities as a global model for responsible AI innovation, allowing for a gradual transition into a future where humans and AI coexist. He emphasizes the importance of safety, highlighting the need for a “digital-physical twin” system to monitor AI’s impact and enable a “safe mode” if necessary.

This innovative approach, according to Soni, could prevent the disastrous consequences of uncontrolled AI development, while fostering a deeper understanding of human consciousness and ensuring its harmonious coexistence with artificial intelligence.

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