Evaluating Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ETAI) Framework and Guidelines were launched on Thursday to ensure integration of reliable emerging technology into critical defence operations.
The risk-based assessment framework is designed to play a pivotal role in the country’s approach to synergise trustworthy AI into the defence systems.
“The ETAI Framework focuses on five broad principles: Reliability and Robustness, Safety and Security, Transparency, Fairness and Privacy,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement to media.
It further defines a comprehensive set of criteria for evaluating trustworthy AI. Complementing the framework, the ETAI Guidelines provide specific measures to be implemented in the AI pipeline to meet these criteria, the Ministry explained.
The MoD stated that the framework and guidelines offer developers and evaluators, a structured approach to build and assess trustworthy AI.
The ETAI Framework for the Armed Forces were launched by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat on Thursday.
Incorporating trustworthy AI, urgent need
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff underscored the urgent need to incorporate trustworthy AI, pointing out that recent global conflicts have demonstrated how AI is revolutionising modern warfare. General Chauhan was hinting at use of pagers by Israelis to target Hezbollah.
He stressed that it is essential to ensure these systems not only work as intended but are also resilient to attacks from adversaries. General Chauhan congratulated Scientific Analysis Group for developing the ETAI Framework and praised their efforts in advancing the trustworthiness of AI in defence applications.
DRDO Chairman Kamat pointed out that reliability and robustness are no longer optional, but are essential to prevent mission failures and unintended consequences.
He highlighted that AI applications are required to be reliable, robust, transparent and safe for the success of future operations.
Distinguished Scientist and Director General, Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems Suma Varughese stated that the ETAI Framework is a risk-based assessment framework developed specifically for the defence sector.
Its principles, criteria and measures are equally applicable to other sectors as well. She affirmed that DRDO will play a key role in implementing the framework and assured that all necessary support will be provided to ensure its success.