Tamil Nadu to release Blockchain and AI technologies

According to the Times of India, Tamil Nadu is in the works of releasing blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that are about to disrupt public policy and governance. "We are working on separate policies on blockchain and AI. The AI policy is going to be perhaps the world’s first policy addressing safe and ethical use of AI" said Santosh Misra, CEO, TN e-Governance Agency (TNeGA). "No state or country has announced a standalone policy to address the safety and ethics associated with AI, and we have no precedence for it", he added.

Blockchain is comprised of a list of records known as blocks, which cannot be modified. Each block has a cryptographic memory of the previous one, creating a timeline. AI simulates human intelligence using machines and TN's AI policy will be the first in India.

TN's AI technologies are expected to help governments and other official bodies to leverage emerging technologies to deliver services and solve governance issues. One example is TNeGA's launch of an e-service that enables citizens to deliver and isssue various identificiation documents wihtout necessarily having anyone apply for them. Another example is that of the use of AI for an attendance system for students in two scools. “We are now likely to roll it out state-wide. It saves close to 45 minutes every day" said Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.