Human-Centred AI: Education and Innovation
Introduction
The rise in start-up culture, increasing investments, and technological breakthroughs are being encouraged alongside innovations and the incorporation of generative Artificial Intelligence elements. Witnessing the growing focus on human-centred AI, its potential to transform industries like education remains undeniable. Enhancing experiences and inculcating new ways of learning, there is much to be explored. Recently, a Delhi-based non-profit called Rocket Learning, in collaboration with Google.org, launched Appu- a personalised AI educational tool providing a multilingual and conversational learning experience for kids between 3 and 6.
AI Appu
Developed in 6 months, along with the help of dedicated Google.org fellows, interactive Appu has resonated with those the founders call “super-users,” i.e. parents and caregivers. Instead of redirecting students to standard content and instructional videos, it operates on the idea of conversational learning, one equally important for children in the targeted age bracket. Designed in the form of an elephant, Appu is supposed to be a personalised tutor, helping both children and parents understand concepts through dialogue. AI enables the generation of different explanations in case of doubt, aiding in understanding. If children were to answer in mixed languages instead of one complete sentence in a single language (eg, Hindi and English), the AI would still consider it as a response. The AI lessons are two minutes long and are inculcated with real-world examples. The emphasis on interactive and fun learning of concepts through innovation enhances the learning experience. Currently only available in Hindi, it is being worked on to include 20 other languages such as Punjabi and Marathi.
UNESCO, AI, and Education
It is important to note that such innovations also find encouragement in UNESCO’s mandate as AI in education contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (here; SDG 4- focusing on quality education). Within the ambit of the Beijing Consensus held in 2019, UNESCO encourages a human-centred approach to AI, and has also developed the “Artificial Intelligence and Education: Guidance for Policymakers” aiming towards understanding its potential and opportunities in education as well as the core competencies it needs to work on. Another publication was launched during one of the flagship events of UNESCO- (Digital Learning Week, 2024) - AI competency frameworks for both, students and teachers which provide a roadmap for assessing the potential and risks of AI, each covering common aspects such as AI ethics, and human-centred mindset and even certain distinct options such as AI system design for students and AI pedagogy for teachers.
Potential Challenges
While AI holds immense promise in education, innovation with regard to learning is contentious as several risks must be carefully managed. Depending on the innovation, AI’s struggle with multitasking beyond the classroom, such as administrative duties and tedious grading, which require highly detailed role descriptions could prove to be a challenge. This can become exhausting for developers managing innovative AI systems, as they would have to fit various responses owing to the inherent nature of AI needing to be trained to produce output. Security concerns are another major issue, as data breaches could compromise sensitive student information. Implementation costs also present challenges, as access to AI-driven tools depends on financial resources. Furthermore, AI-driven personalised learning, while beneficial, may inadvertently reduce student motivation, also compromising students' soft skills, such as teamwork and communication, which are crucial for real-world success. These risks highlight the need for a balanced approach to AI integration in education.
Conclusion
Innovations related to education, especially the ones that focus on a human-centred AI approach, have immense potential in not only enhancing learning experiences but also reshaping how knowledge is accessed, understood, and applied. Untapped potential using other services is also encouraged in this sector. However, maintaining a balance between fostering intrigue and ensuring the inculcation of ethical and secure AI remains imperative.
References
- https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/what-you-need-know-about-unescos-new-ai-competency-frameworks-students-and-teachers?hub=32618
- https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-education/artificial-intelligence
- https://www.deccanherald.com/technology/google-backed-rocket-learning-launches-appu-an-ai-powered-tutor-for-kids-3455078
- https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/how-this-google-backed-ai-tool-is-reshaping-education-appu-9896391/
- https://www.thehindu.com/business/ai-appu-to-tutor-children-in-india/article69354145.ece
- https://www.velvetech.com/blog/ai-in-education-risks-and-concerns/
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Introduction
On March 12, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) proposed the Bill to curb anti-competitive practices of tech giants through ex-ante regulation. The Draft Digital Competition Bill is to apply to ‘Core Digital Services,’ with the Central Government having the authority to update the list periodically. The proposed list in the Bill encompasses online search engines, online social networking services, video-sharing platforms, interpersonal communications services, operating systems, web browsers, cloud services, advertising services, and online intermediation services.
The primary highlight of the Digital Competition Law Report created by the Committee on Digital Competition Law presented to the Parliament in the 2nd week of March 2024 involves a recommendation to introduce new legislation called the ‘Digital Competition Act,’ intended to strike a balance between certainty and flexibility. The report identified ten anti-competitive practices relevant to digital enterprises in India. These are anti-steering, platform neutrality/self-preferencing, bundling and tying, data usage (use of non-public data), pricing/ deep discounting, exclusive tie-ups, search and ranking preferencing, restricting third-party applications and finally advertising Policies.
Key Take-Aways: Digital Competition Bill, 2024
- Qualitative and quantitative criteria for identifying Systematically Significant Digital Enterprises, if it meets any of the specified thresholds.
- Financial thresholds in each of the immediately preceding three financial years like turnover in India, global turnover, gross merchandise value in India, or global market capitalization.
- User thresholds in each of the immediately preceding 3 financial years in India like the core digital service provided by the enterprise has at least 1 crore end users, or it has at least 10,000 business users.
- The Commission may make the designation based on other factors such as the size and resources of an enterprise, number of business or end users, market structure and size, scale and scope of activities of an enterprise and any other relevant factor.
- A period of 90 days is provided to notify the CCI of qualification as an SSDE. Additionally, the enterprise must also notify the Commission of other enterprises within the group that are directly or indirectly involved in the provision of Core Digital Services, as Associate Digital Enterprises (ADE) and the qualification shall be for 3 years.
- It prescribes obligations for SSDEs and their ADEs upon designation. The enterprise must comply with certain obligations regarding Core Digital Services, and non-compliance with the same shall result in penalties. Enterprises must not directly or indirectly prevent or restrict business users or end users from raising any issue of non-compliance with the enterprise’s obligations under the Act.
- Avoidance of favouritism in product offerings by SSDE, its related parties, or third parties for the manufacture and sale of products or provision of services over those offered by third-party business users on the Core Digital Service in any manner.
- The Commission will be having the same powers as vested to a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 when trying a suit.
- Penalty for non-compliance without reasonable cause may extend to Rs 1 lakh for each day during which such non-compliance occurs (max. of Rs 10 crore). It may extend to 3 years or with a fine, which may extend to Rs 25 crore or with both. The Commission may also pass an order imposing a penalty on an enterprise (not exceeding 1% of the global turnover) in case it provides incorrect, incomplete, misleading information or fails to provide information.
Suggestions and Recommendations
- The ex-ante model of regulation needs to be examined for the Indian scenario and studies need to be conducted on it has worked previously in different jurisdictions like the EU.
- The Bill should be aimed at prioritising the fostering of fair competition by preventing monopolistic practices in digital markets exclusively. A clear distinction from the already existing Competition Act, 2002 in its functioning needs to be created so that there is no overlap in the regulations and double jeopardy is not created for enterprises.
- Restrictions on tying and bundling and data usage have been shown to negatively impact MSMEs that rely significantly on big tech to reduce operational costs and enhance customer outreach.
- Clear definitions of "dominant position" and "anti-competitive behaviour" are essential for effective enforcement in terms of digital competition need to be defined.
- Encouraging innovation while safeguarding consumer data privacy in consonance with the DPDP Act should be the aim. Promoting interoperability and transparency in algorithms can prevent discriminatory practices.
- Regular reviews and stakeholder consultations will ensure the law adapts to rapidly evolving technologies.
- Collaboration with global antitrust bodies which is aimed at enhancing cross-border regulatory coherence and effectiveness.
Conclusion
The need for a competition law that is focused exclusively on Digital Enterprises is the need of the hour and hence the Committee recommended enacting the Digital Competition Act to enable CCI to selectively regulate large digital enterprises. The proposed legislation should be restricted to regulate only those enterprises that have a significant presence and ability to influence the Indian digital market. The impact of the law needs to be restrictive to digital enterprises and it should not encroach upon matters not influenced by the digital arena. India's proposed Digital Competition Bill aims to promote competition and fairness in the digital market by addressing anti-competitive practices and dominant position abuses prevalent in the digital business space. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has received 41-page public feedback on the draft which is expected to be tabled next year in front of the Parliament.
References
- https://www.medianama.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DRAFT-DIGITAL-COMPETITION-BILL-2024.pdf
- https://prsindia.org/files/policy/policy_committee_reports/Report_Summary-Digital_Competition_Law.pdf
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/meity-meets-india-inc-to-hear-out-digital-competition-law-concerns/articleshow/111091837.cms?from=mdr
- https://www.mca.gov.in/bin/dms/getdocument?mds=gzGtvSkE3zIVhAuBe2pbow%253D%253D&type=open
- https://www.barandbench.com/law-firms/view-point/digital-competition-laws-beginning-of-a-new-era
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/policy-explainer-digital-competition-bill-nimisha-srivastava-lhltc/
- https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5722a078-1839-4ece-aec9-49336ff53b6c

Technology has revolutionized our lives, offering countless benefits and conveniences that make our daily lives more accessible and connected. However, with these benefits come potential challenges and risks that can impact our digital experiences. In this article, we have gathered expert advice on the impact of technology use in our daily lives, including the importance of warranties and tech protection in safeguarding our technology investments. Our experts offer invaluable insights and guidance on using technology safely and effectively while protecting us from unexpected costs or problems. Whether you’re a casual user or a technology enthusiast, our experts’ insights will help you navigate the world of technology with confidence and peace of mind.
How to protect kids from online abuse in the modern era of technology?
“As parents, it’s important to acknowledge that online child abuse is a widespread problem that we need to address. But does this mean we should ban technology from our children’s lives? Absolutely not! Technology is an integral part of our children’s lives, providing numerous benefits. Instead, we should think of practical ways to minimize the risks of online abuse. Many parents today depend on parental control apps like Mobicip to safeguard their children’s online activities and build healthy digital habits. These apps allow parents to supervise their child’s online behavior, restrict screen time, prevent access to certain websites and applications, filter inappropriate content, and get instant notifications about dangerous interactions or inappropriate content. Parents feel reassured and free of worry, knowing that their children’s online surroundings are secure and protected. In addition to using a parental control app, we must also focus on building a strong connection with our kids. By initiating conversations about their digital lives, we can understand their digital world, educate them about the potential risks and dangers of the internet, and teach them how to stay safe. By being proactive and engaged in our children’s digital lives, we can protect them from online abuse while still allowing them to benefit from technology.”
How to increase engagement in online classes via technology?
“Online classes have gained immense popularity in recent years due to their many advantages. However, online educators face several challenges that can impede the effectiveness of their classes, one of which is the lack of engagement from students. To address this challenge, it is crucial to adopt certain strategies that can increase student engagement and create a more meaningful learning environment.
One effective strategy is to limit the number of chokepoints that students may face while enrolling in a class. This can be achieved by using booking and scheduling technology that provides students with a hassle-free experience. The system sends regular reminders and notifications to learners about upcoming classes and assignments, helping them stay organized and committed to their learning.
Technology plays a vital role in improving communication between students and teachers and in increasing student engagement and participation during a session. Utilizing technology such as polling, chat boxes, and breakout rooms enables learners to actively participate in the class and share their perspectives, leading to more effective learning.
Personalization is also essential in creating a meaningful learning environment. A scheduling system can help create customized learning paths for each student, where they can progress at their own pace and focus on topics that interest them. This ensures that each student receives individual attention and is able to learn in a way that suits their learning style.
Moreover, gamification techniques can be used to make the learning process more fun and engaging. This includes using badges, points, and leaderboards to motivate learners to achieve their goals while competing with each other.”
Dr. Sukanya Kakoty, Omnify
How to choose the best due diligence software for your business?
“With a variety of solutions on the market, finding the best due diligence software for your business can be a tedious task. In addition to the software’s capabilities meeting your needs, there are other factors to consider when picking the right solution for your business. As due diligence involves the sharing of sensitive information, security is a key factor to consider. When browsing solutions, it is important to consider if their security features are up to industry standards. User-friendliness is another factor to consider when adopting a new due diligence software. Introducing a new tool should increase team efficiency, not disrupt your existing workflow. When searching for the perfect due diligence solution, pick one that meets the above criteria and more. DealRoom is a lifecycle deal management solution, providing pipeline, diligence, integration, and document management all under one platform. DealRoom’s user-friendly and intuitive features allow for customizable workflows to fit the specific needs of each user. DealRoom also offers industry-leading security features, including data encryption, granular permissions, and detailed audit logs, guaranteeing that your information is always protected. When choosing the best due diligence software for your business, consider a user-friendly, flexible, and secure solution.”
Why are backups important, and what is the safest way of doing them?
“Backups are important for several reasons. They help to protect against data loss, which can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as hardware failure, software corruption, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks. Backups also help to ensure that important data is available when needed, such as in the case of an emergency or system failure. Additionally, backups provide a way to recover deleted or corrupted files. This is also important because the loss of data can result in consequences such as financial loss, damage to reputation, and even legal issues. If not these, then loss of data may also lead to emotional effects in certain cases. A backup, however, can restore data quickly and avoid any significant disruption, emotional or otherwise. The safest way of doing backups is by following the 3-2-1 backup rule. This rule states that you should have at least three copies of your data, stored on at least two different storage media, with one copy stored offsite. This provides redundancy in case of a failure of one storage medium or location.
There are several methods of backing up data, including:
- External hard drives or USB drives: These are inexpensive and portable, making them a popular choice for personal backups. However, they can be lost or damaged, so it is important to keep them in a safe location and make regular backups.
- Cloud backups: These store data on remote servers, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This provides an offsite backup solution, but it is important to choose a reputable provider and to ensure that the data is encrypted and secure.
- Network-attached storage (NAS): These are devices that connect to a network and provide centralized storage for multiple devices. They can be configured to automatically back up data from multiple devices on the network.
- Tape backups: These are less common but are still used by some businesses for the long-term storage of large amounts of data.
Regardless of the backup method chosen, it is important to regularly test backups regularly to ensure that they can be successfully restored in case of an emergency.”
What are the best trending electric toys for kids in 2023?
“Augmented Reality (AR) Toys: These toys blend the physical and digital world, providing an immersive experience. Popular examples include AR-enabled building sets and interactive storybooks that come to life through an app.
Educational Robotics: Robotics toys like the LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor and Sphero’s programmable robots have gained popularity for teaching coding, engineering, and problem-solving skills through hands-on play.”
Aside from security, what are some of the features of a VPN?
“Accessing geo-restricted content: One of the main benefits of using a VPN is its ability to bypass geographical restrictions in the world of flight prices, content, gaming, and more. Many websites and online services are only available in certain countries or regions. With a VPN, you can change your virtual location and access content that is otherwise blocked or unavailable in your country. Imagine you’re playing a game with friends; by using a VPN, you can improve your gaming experience by connecting to a server closer to the game’s host location and bypassing regional restrictions to access features unavailable in your region.
Increased privacy and anonymity: While security and privacy go hand in hand, VPNs offer more than just encryption. They also provide a level of anonymity by masking your IP address and making it difficult for websites and online services to track your online activity. This can be particularly useful for users who are concerned about their online privacy or who want to avoid targeted ads.
Faster internet speeds: Believe it or not, using a VPN can actually improve your internet speed in certain situations. If your internet service provider (ISP) is throttling your internet speed, a VPN can help you bypass this by encrypting your traffic and hiding it from your ISP. Additionally, some VPN providers offer dedicated servers that are optimized for faster speeds, reducing buffering and improving download and upload speeds.”
How does creating a website can help a home business?
“As a digital marketing consultant, I once worked with a client who had a home-based bakery business. She struggled to reach new customers beyond her local community and wanted to expand her reach and grow her business. After assessing her needs, I recommended that she create a website for her business. With the website, she could showcase her unique baked goods, provide a platform for online ordering, and expand her reach to customers beyond her local community. The website was designed to be visually appealing and user-friendly while effectively showcasing the brand and products in an attractive way. Additionally, the website was optimized for search engines and integrated with social media platforms to increase visibility and drive traffic to the site. Within a few months of launching the website, she saw an increase in orders. Customers could easily place orders through the website and leave reviews, which provided social proof and helped build trust with potential customers. Also used data analytics to track customer behavior and make data-driven decisions to improve the website and marketing strategy. The website became a valuable asset for her business, helping her to expand her reach, increase sales, and gather valuable customer data. Overall, creating a website helped her home-based business to grow and thrive in a competitive marketplace.”
Lito James, MassivePeak.com
How can technology be utilized to enhance productivity for remote teams working from home?
“Our team facilitates strategic planning sessions and we’re frequently working with teams that are working remotely. Here are a few of our best tips for productivity:
- Clear strategy: As teams have fewer touch points, it’s critical they are aligned and bought into the direction of the organization.
- Clear big rocks for the week. Make sure you’re not just busy but doing things that will move the needle on your strategic goals
- Clear accountability: Basecamp or other project management tools to help make sure nothing falls through the cracks
- Clear communication: Schedule the right meetings, so you are connecting at the right times to deliver important work and align on important topics.
- Clear agendas: When you do meet, make sure you’re coming together, staying focused, and getting the most important information across
Creating the right strategy and the right structure to keep it moving forward will help your team drive your most important outcomes, regardless of if you’re working in an office or remotely.
Anthony Taylor, SME Strategy Consulting
How to monitor your kids’ activities online?
“As a father of two kids and the founder of TheSweetBits.com, a website dedicated to providing guides on software and apps, I have extensive experience in monitoring my children’s online activities. Over the years, I have tested and reviewed numerous parental control apps and software to ensure my children’s online safety. When it comes to monitoring your kids’ activity online, it’s crucial to find a balance between keeping them safe and respecting their privacy. One of the most effective ways to achieve this balance is by using parental control software that allows you to set limits on their device usage, restrict access to inappropriate content, and monitor their online activity. However, it’s important to note that parental control software is not a substitute for good communication with your kids. You should have regular conversations with them about online safety and the potential dangers of the internet. By establishing trust and open communication, you can work together to create a safe and responsible online environment for your family. As I always say, ‘Parental control software is just one tool in the toolbox of responsible parenting’.”
How to plan the best online date with the help of technology?
“To plan a date online with the help of technology, we recommend using a reservation app like OpenTable to make dinner reservations. Not only will this let her know you thought ahead with the smaller details, but it will also ensure a smooth date by eliminating a long waiting time for a table to open up.”
What are the benefits of teaching kids to code and how to make it fun?
“The ability to code has become increasingly important in the modern world due to the rapid advancement of technology and its integration into nearly every aspect of our lives. This is something that will only continue as our children grow up and enter the world at large as the demand for workers with coding skills continues to grow rapidly. Teaching kids to code offers numerous benefits beyond just developing technical skills and getting them future-ready. It promotes problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and logical reasoning, all of which are essential in today’s digital age. Additionally, coding can increase creativity and encourage children to think outside the box. However, it’s important to make coding fun and engaging for kids rather than a dull and tedious task. One way to make it exciting is to introduce gamification elements, such as incorporating fun characters or adding game-like challenges, and there are loads of great apps to get them started with. We love CodeSpark Academy, Lego Boost, and Tynker. Another approach is to encourage group work or peer learning, where children can work together to solve problems and learn from each other. Ultimately, making coding fun and enjoyable can ignite children’s interest in technology and set them on a path to explore new and exciting opportunities in the future.”
Are dating apps useful in the modern dating era and how to find the correct one?
“Dating apps have become a popular tool for modern daters to find potential partners. However, they also come with their own set of problems. One of the biggest issues with current dating apps is that they focus too much on superficial factors such as sexual attraction, rather than deeper compatibility and true attraction. This can lead to frustration and disappointment for users who are seeking more meaningful connections. Fortunately, AI technology is starting to offer solutions to these problems. By using machine learning algorithms and data analysis, apps like Iris Dating are able to help users find potential matches based on more than just superficial qualities. Iris uses a process called “iris training” to learn each user’s unique preferences and suggest compatible matches accordingly. This approach allows users to connect with people to whom they are really attracted, leading to more meaningful and lasting relationships. When it comes to finding the right dating app, it’s important to do your research and choose one that aligns with your values and preferences. Look for apps that prioritize true attraction and use AI technology to help you find meaningful matches. Don’t be afraid to try out multiple apps until you find one that feels right for you. Overall, while dating apps have their flaws, AI-powered apps like Iris offer hope for a more personalized and meaningful dating experience. By leveraging the power of technology, we can make the search for love a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable.”
What are some IT risk management tips for home businesses?
“As more and more people turn to home-based businesses, IT security for these operations is becoming an increasingly important concern. From data breaches to cyberattacks, the risks you face as a home business owner are the same as those faced by larger enterprises. So, what are some IT risk management tips for home businesses? First, consider using a virtual private network or VPN to enhance the security of your online communications. Additionally, enable two-factor authentication for all of your accounts, including any cloud services you use. Practice good password hygiene, regularly updating passwords and avoiding easily guessable or common passwords. Finally, consider investing in cybersecurity insurance to protect your business in the event of a cyberattack or data breach. By taking these steps to mitigate IT risks, you can help ensure your home business stays secure and successful. Below are some additional suggestions to help you stay vigilant and set up your home business for longevity.
-Keep Your Software Up to Date: One of the best ways to reduce your risk of being hacked is to keep your software up to date. This includes both your operating system and any applications you have installed.
-Use a Firewall: A firewall is a piece of software that helps to block incoming connections from untrusted sources. By blocking these connections, you can help to prevent hackers from gaining access to your system.
-Use Anti-Virus Software: In addition to using a firewall, you should also use anti-virus software. Anti-virus software helps to protect your system from viruses and other malware. These programs work by scanning your system for known threats and then quarantining or deleting any files that are found to be infected.
-Back Up Your Data Regularly: Finally, it is important to back up your data regularly. This way, if your system is ever compromised, you will not lose any important files or data.
-Encrypt Your Data: If you are storing sensitive data on your computer, it is important to encrypt it to protect it from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Encryption is a process of transforming data into a format that cannot be read without a decryption key. There are many different encryption algorithms that you can use, so make sure to choose one that is appropriate for the type of data you are encrypting.”
What are the benefits of giving your child a smartphone?
“If you’re teetering back and forth on getting your child a smartphone, consider these benefits as you make your decision:
• Connection. Smartphones keep kids in contact with friends and family—for fun and function! From school to extracurricular activities, kids can easily let their parents and caregivers know about late pickups, ride requests, and other changes of plans.
• Safety. If your child or someone they’re with gets hurt, their smartphone could save a life! And with built-in GPS, their location is always accessible. Plus, parental controls and other smartphone safeguards offer even more protection.
• Convenience. Life is a little easier when your child has a smartphone, plain and simple! You can call each other, send texts, and always know where they are.
• Acceptance. These days, it’s uncommon for kids to not have smartphones. With a smartphone, your child feels belonging and inclusion among their peers.
• Development. Having something as valuable as a smartphone teaches children responsibility and accountability. And with a smartphone of their own, your child will learn how to use technology in an appropriate, safe, and disciplined way.
• Education. Smartphones are incredible teaching tools! Educational apps, videos, and games can keep kids sharp. Plus, smartphones can introduce them to new hobbies and interests!”
How is technology promoting health and wellness?
“Technology has revolutionized the healthcare industry and is playing an increasingly important role in promoting health and wellness. Here are some ways in which technology has helped:
Wearable technology: Wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, are becoming increasingly popular. These devices can track a person’s physical activity, sleep patterns, heart rate, and more. They provide valuable insights into a person’s health and wellness and can help motivate them to make positive lifestyle changes.
Telehealth: Telemedicine allows patients to receive medical care remotely through video conferencing, phone calls, or other digital means. It has also allowed fitness professionals to work with more people who aren’t in a local market via video conferencing, webinars, etc.
Mobile Apps: There are a plethora of mobile apps available that promote health and wellness. These apps can help users track their diet and exercise, manage chronic conditions, and access medical information.
Virtual Reality: Virtual reality (VR) is being used in healthcare to treat conditions such as anxiety, phobias, and PTSD. VR can also be used for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Overall, technology is playing an increasingly important role in promoting health and wellness, and it is likely that we will see even more innovative uses of technology in the healthcare industry in the future.”

Introduction
In the hyperconnected world, cyber incidents can no longer be treated as sporadic disruptions; such incidents have become an everyday occurrence. The attack landscape today is very consequential and shows significant multiplication in its frequency, with ransomware attacks incapacitating a health system, phishing attacks hitting a financial institution, or state-sponsored attacks on critical infrastructures. Towards counteracting such threats, traditional ways alone are not enough, they gravely rely on manual research and human intellect. Attackers exercise speed, scale, and stealth, and defenders are always four steps behind. With such a widening gap, it is deemed necessary to facilitate incident response and crisis management with the intervention of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) for faster detection, context-driven decision-making, and collaborative response beyond human capabilities.
Incident Response and Crisis Management
Incident response is the structured way in which organisations deal with responding to detecting, segregating, and recovering from security incidents. Crisis management takes this even further, dealing not only with the technical fallout of a breach but also its business, reputation, and regulatory implications. Echelon used to depend on manual teams of people sorting through logs, cross-correlating alarms, and generating responses, a paradigm effective for small numbers but quickly inadequate in today's threat climate. Today's opponents attack at machine speed, employing automation to launch attacks. Under such circumstances, responding with slow, manual methods means delay and draconian consequences. The AI and automation introduction is a paradigm change that allows organisations to equate the pace and precision with which attackers initiate attacks in responding to incidents.
How Automation Reinvents Response
Cybercrime automation liberates cybercrime analysts from boring and repetitive tasks that consume time. An analyst manually detects potential threats from a list of hundreds each day, while automated systems sift through noise and focus only on genuine threats. Malware can automatically cause infected computers to be disconnected from the network to avoid spreading or may automatically have its suspicious account permissions removed without human intervention. The security orchestration systems move further by introducing playbooks, predefined steps describing how incidents of a certain type (e.g., phishing attempts or malware infections) should be handled. This ensures fast containment while ensuring consistency and minimising human error amid the urgency of dealing with thousands of alerts.
Automation takes care of threat detection, prioritisation, and containment, allowing human analysts to refocus on more complex decision-making. Instead of drowning in the sea of trivial alerts, security teams can now devote their efforts to more strategic areas: threat hunting and longer-term resilience. Automation is a strong tool of defence, cutting response times down from hours to minutes.
The Intelligence Layer: AI in Action
If automation provides speed, then AI is what allows the brain to be intelligent and flexible. Working with old and fixed-rule systems, AI-enabled solutions learn from experiences, adapt to changes in threats, and discover hidden patterns of which human analysts themselves would be unaware. For instance, machine learning algorithms identify normal behaviour on a corporate network and raise alerts on any anomalies that could indicate an insider attack or an advanced persistent threat. Similarly, AI systems sift through global threat intelligence to predict likely attack vectors so organisations can have their vulnerabilities fixed before they are exploited.
AI also boosts forensic analysis. Instead of searching forever for clues, analysts let AI-driven systems trace back to the origin of an event, identify vulnerabilities exploited by attackers, and flag systems that are still under attack. During a crisis, AI is a decision support that predicts outcomes of different scenarios and recommends the best response. In response to a ransomware attack, for example, based on context, AI might advise separating a single network segment or restoring from backup or alerting law enforcement.
Real-World Applications and Case Studies
Already, this mitigation has been provided in the form of real-world applications of automation and AI. Consider, for example, IBM Watson for Cybersecurity, which has been applied in analysing unstructured threat intelligence and providing analysts with actionable results in minutes, rather than days. Like this, systems driven by AI in DARPA's Cyber Grand Challenge demonstrated the ability to automatically identify an instant vulnerability, patch it, and reveal the potential of a self-healing system. AI-powered fraud detection systems stop suspicious transactions in the middle of their execution and work all night to prevent losses. What is common in all these examples is that automation and AI lessen human effort, increase accuracy, and in the event of a cyberattack, buy precious time.
Challenges and Limitations
While promising, the technology is still not fully mature. The quality of an AI system is highly dependent on the training data provided; poor training can generate false positives that drown teams or worse false negatives that allow attackers to proceed unabated. Attackers have also started targeting AI itself by poisoning datasets or designing malware that does not get detected. Aside from risks that are more technical, the operational and financial costs involved in implementing advanced AI-based systems present expensive threats to any company. Organisations will have to make expenditures not only on technology but also for the training of staff to best utilise these tools. There are some ethical and privacy issues to consider as well because systems may be processing sensitive personal data, so global data protection laws such as the GDPR or India's DPDP Act could come into conflict.
Creating a Human-AI Collaboration
The future is not going to be one of substitution by machines but of creating human-AI synergy. Automation can do the drudgery, AI can provide smarts, and human professionals can use judgment, imagination, and ethical decisions. One would want to build AI-fuelled Security Operations Centres where technology and human experts work in tandem. Continuous training must be provided to AI models to reduce false alarms and make them most resistant against adversarial attacks. Regular conduct of crisis drills that combine AI tools and human teams can ensure preparedness for real-time events. Likewise, it is worth integrating ethical AI guidelines into security frameworks to ensure a stronger defence while respecting privacy and regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
Cyber-attacks are an eventuality in this modern time, but the actual impact need not be so harsh. The organisations can maintain the programmatic method of integrating automation and AI into incident response and crisis management so that the response against the very threat can be shifted from reactive firefighting to proactive resilience. Automation gives speed and efficiency while AI gives intelligence and foresight, hence putting the defenders on par and possibly exceeding the speed and sophistication of the attackers. But an utmost system without human inquisitiveness, ethical reasoning, and strategic foresight would remain imperfect. The best defence is in that human-machine relationship symbiotic system wherein automation and AI take care of how fast and how many cyber threats come in, whereas human intellect ensures that every response is aligned with larger organizational goals. This synergy is where cybersecurity resiliency will reside in the future-the defenders won't just be reacting to emergencies but will rather be driving the way.
References
- https://www.sisainfosec.com/blogs/incident-response-automation/
- https://stratpilot.ai/role-of-ai-in-crisis-management-and-its-critical-importance/
- https://www.juvare.com/integrating-artificial-intelligence-into-crisis-management/
- https://www.motadata.com/blog/role-of-automation-in-incident-management/