Why in News:

• The Defence Minister at the ‘AI in Defence’ symposium unveiled an AI-based Mandarin translation device for troops on LAC.
  • Mandarin language is the most widely spoken form of Chinese. It is one of the most spoken languages in the world.

Need

• Troops of India and China come face to face on various occasions during patrols and local commanders too interact at various levels as part of efforts to maintain peace on the ground. Language is a major hindrance and interpreters need to be present during occasions like flag meetings.
• The exhibition also had several other AI-enabled products like robotic mine detector, intrusion detection system and integrated command fusion, remote weapon station, rail mounted robo, sensors for underwater domain awareness, and swarm drones, among others.
• AI-enabled military devices are capable of handling large amounts of data efficiently. It is also proving to be very helpful in training the soldiers.

Initiatives taken for incorporating AI in defence

• AI through Technological Development Fund projects
• ‘Dare to Dream’ contests
• ‘Defence-Industry-Academia’ Centres of Excellence
• Artificial Intelligence in Defence– N Chadrasekharan Task Force set up in 2018 
• Defence Artificial Intelligence Project Agency (DAIPA) – to give a thrust on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defence, formulation of an AI roadmap for each Defence PSU and Ordnance Factory Board to develop AI-enabled products.

 Reference 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/soon-ai-based-mandarin-translation-devices-for-troops-on-lac/article65626423.ece