Mahalanobis in the era of Big Data and AI

Source: The post is based on the article “Mahalanobis in the era of Big Data and AI” published in the “The Hindu” on 29th June 2023. 

Syllabus: GS3- Science and Technology 

Relevance: Issue related to use and regulation of Big data and AI 

News: The article explains how Mahalanobis would have responded to challenges created by Big data and AI. 

Why does India need a Mahalanobis view today?

With the advent of the Internet, there has been a flood of data. This is widely perceived as the era of Big Data. The recent developments in artificial intelligence are also transforming our lives and lifestyles. AI is threatening to replace millions of jobs without creating alternatives. It is also aiding in spreading disinformation. 

During COVID-19, there were numerous contradictory projections. The country’s COVID-19 response could have been much stronger if the data is handled effectively.  

How Mahalanobis might respond to the challenges faced by the world today? 

Mahalanobis also encountered a Big Data problem when his large-scale surveys yielded lots of data.  Mahalanobis persuaded the government and succeeded in procuring the first two digital computers of the country at his Indian Statistical Institute. It ushered in the age of computers in India.  

Mahalanobis would have embraced the power of AI in enhancing human productivity. He could possibly be able to lead Big Data analyses considerably better than anybody else.  

Mahalanobis successfully introduced the revolutionary concept of built-in cross-checks into his surveys. These cross-checks can be instrumental in regulating AI. 

Mahalanobis envisioned statistics as a new technology for increasing the efficiency of human effort.  

Even today, someone like Mahalanobis, could be the best person to handle tons of data. He can use technologies for human welfare and national development.