Comprehension

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In a recent discussion paper, NITI Aayog has chalked out an ambitious strategy for India to become an artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse. AI is the use of computers to make decisions that are normally made by humans. Many forms of AI surround Indians already, including chatbots on retail websites and programs that flag fraudulent bank activity. But NITI Aayog envisions AI solutions for India on a scale not seen anywhere in the world today, especially in five key sectors — agriculture, healthcare, education, smart cities and infrastructure, and transport. In agriculture, for example, machines will provide information to farmers on the quality of soil, when to sow, where to spray herbicide, and when to expect pest infestations. It’s an idea with great potential: India has 30 million farmers with smartphones, but poor extension services. If computers help agricultural universities advise farmers on best practices, India could see a farming revolution. 
However, there are formidable obstacles. AI start-ups already offer some solutions, but the challenge lies in scaling these to cover the entire value chain, as NITI Aayog envisions. The first problem is data. Machine learning, the set of technologies used to create AI, is a data-guzzling monster. It takes reams of historical data as input, identifies the relationships among data elements, and makes predictions. More sophisticated forms of machine learning, like “deep learning,” attempt to mimic the human brain. And even though they promise greater accuracy, they also need more data than what is required by traditional machine learning. Unfortunately, India has sparse data in sectors like agriculture, and this is already hampering AI-based businesses today. 
In fact, the lack of data means that deep learning doesn’t work for all companies in India. One example is Climate-Connect, a Delhi-based firm, which uses AI to predict the amount of power a solar plant will generate every 15 minutes. This is critical because solar electricity generation can change dramatically every hour depending on weather conditions and the position of the sun. 
When this happens, the plant must communicate expected changes to power distributors, which will then switch to alternative sources. 
With India planning to install 100 GW of solar power by 2022, such AI will play a central role in power planning. 
But to generate such data, Climate-Connect needs historical inputs like the time of sunrise and sunset, and cloud cover where the plant is located. Unfortunately, since most Indian solar plants are recent, data are available only for a couple of years, whereas deep learning needs data over many years to predict generation. Today, the firm uses traditional machine learning technologies such as regression analysis that work with less data. These methods have an accuracy of around 95%. While deep learning can boost accuracy for operations such as Climate-Connect, it hasn’t worked very well in the Indian scenario, says Nitin Tanwar, cofounder of the firm. 
Another problem for AI firms today is finding the right people. NITI Aayog’s report has bleak news: only about 50 Indian scientists carry out ”serious research” and they are concentrated in elite institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Science. Meanwhile,only about 4% of AI professionals have worked in emerging technologies like deep learning. A survey of LinkedIn found 386 out ofthe 22,000 people with PhDs in AI across the world to be Indians. How does this skill gap impact companies? To some extent, open libraries of machine learning code, which can be customised to solve Indian problems, help. This means that companies need not write code from scratch, and even computer science graduates can carry out the customisation.

Question: 1

What can be some steps that can be taken by India to improve its AI capabilities?
I. The government must collect and digitize data it has access to due to running numerous schemes.
II. Set up institutes to churn out more skilled people in this field.

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When answering questions about a passage, always verify that each statement aligns with the points discussed in the text. Eliminate options that are not fully supported by the passage.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
  • Only I
  • Only II
  • Both I and II
  • None of the above
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"The government must collect and digitize data it has access to due to running numerous schemes."

This is aligned with the passage, which emphasizes the need for more data to implement AI solutions. Therefore, statement I is true.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"Set up institutes to churn out more skilled people in this field."

The passage discusses the lack of skilled professionals in AI. Establishing institutes to create more skilled professionals is a logical step for improving AI capabilities. Therefore, statement II is also true.

Step 3: Final Answer
Both statements I and II are supported by the passage. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Both I and II. Final Answer: The correct answer is (c) Both I and II.
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Question: 2

Which of the following strengthens the argument for using more of AI powered tools in the future in India?
I. The AI sector uses a tremendous amount of electricity so as to process huge amounts of data which is not sustainable.
II. It will help to collect, validate, standardize, correlate, archive and distribute relevant data and make it accessible to organizations, people and systems.
III. Although AI will create more jobs than it would destroy.

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When answering questions related to arguments, carefully evaluate whether the statement supports or weakens the overall argument. Eliminate options that present weaknesses.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
  • Only I
  • Only II
  • Only I and II
  • Only II and III
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"The AI sector uses a tremendous amount of electricity so as to process huge amounts of data which is not sustainable."

This statement weakens the argument for using AI more in the future because it highlights sustainability issues. Therefore, statement I is incorrect.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"It will help to collect, validate, standardize, correlate, archive and distribute relevant data and make it accessible to organizations, people and systems."

This statement strengthens the argument by emphasizing the positive capabilities of AI in managing data. Therefore, statement II is correct.

Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"Although AI will create more jobs than it would destroy."

This statement also strengthens the argument for AI by suggesting its positive economic impact. Therefore, statement III is correct.

Step 4: Final Answer
Since statements II and III strengthen the argument for AI, the correct answer is (d) Only II and III. Final Answer: The correct answer is (d) Only II and III.
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Question: 3

As per the passage, which of the following are reasons for AI to be full of ‘formidable obstacles’?
I. The need for a huge amount of data to make predictions.
II. The entire chain of operation faces bottlenecks pertaining to funding.
III. A scarcity of adequately qualified people in India.

Show Hint

When evaluating statements based on a passage, ensure that you directly reference the text to support or reject each statement. Eliminate options not backed by the passage.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
  • Only II
  • Only I and III
  • Only II and III
  • Only III
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"The need for a huge amount of data to make predictions."

This statement is supported by the passage. It mentions, "The first problem is data. Machine learning, the set of technologies used to create AI, is a data-guzzling monster." Therefore, statement I is correct.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"The entire chain of operation faces bottlenecks pertaining to funding."

This statement is not mentioned in the passage. Hence, statement II is incorrect.

Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"A scarcity of adequately qualified people in India."

This statement is supported by the passage. It mentions, "Another problem for AI firms today is finding the right people." Therefore, statement III is correct.

Step 4: Final Answer
The correct answer is (b) Only I and III, as they are supported by the passage. Final Answer: The correct answer is (b) Only I and III.
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Question: 4

As per your understanding of the passage, which of the following are not examples of AI usage in industries?
I. Data processing of students based on some parameters to find predictive patterns as to who would quit.
II. A bank teller using a computer to help solve customer queries with respect to their respective accounts.
III. Use of unmanned tanks, vessels, aerial vehicles, and drones in the armed forces.

Show Hint

When evaluating examples of AI usage, remember that AI typically involves data analysis, pattern recognition, and automation. Tasks that do not involve these elements may not be examples of AI.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
  • Only I
  • Only II
  • Only I and III
  • Only II and III
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"Data processing of students based on some parameters to find predictive patterns as to who would quit."

This statement involves the use of data and predictive analytics, which are applications of AI. Therefore, statement I is incorrect as it is an example of AI usage.

Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"A bank teller using a computer to help solve customer queries with respect to their respective accounts."

This statement does not involve AI. A bank teller simply uses a computer to access data, which is not AI. Therefore, statement II is the correct answer to the question.

Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"Use of unmanned tanks, vessels, aerial vehicles, and drones in the armed forces."

This statement involves robotics and AI-driven systems, which are used in unmanned vehicles. Therefore, statement III is incorrect as it is an example of AI usage.

Step 4: Final Answer
Since only statement II does not involve AI usage, the correct answer is (b) Only II. Final Answer: The correct answer is (b) Only II.
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