SSB GD TOPIC NOTES: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Defence, Education & Medicine: Sector-Wise Analysis for GD

Fresh SSB batches start around the 1st & 15th of every month.

Which sector is most significantly impacted by Artificial Intelligence? 

 A) Defence 

 B) Education  C) Medicine

Introduction

• AI has moved from futuristic concept to present-day transformative force.
• Global market value: $184 billion (2024), projected $826 billion by 2030.
• Revolutionising multiple sectors in India and globally — from national security to classrooms and hospitals.

🔹 A) Defence

• AI drives autonomous weapon systems, drone surveillance, predictive maintenance.
• India investing via Defence AI Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Projects Agency.
• Examples: SWARM drones in Army exercises; AI-based border surveillance at LOC/LAC.
• Global benchmark: US and China heavily investing, shifting warfare to tech-centric.
• Impact: Enhances decision-making speed, reduces soldier exposure, improves strategic intelligence.

🔹 B) Education

• AI supports personalised learning, adaptive assessments, AI tutors for self-paced study.
• India’s EdTech market worth $10.4 billion (2024), integrating AI for language learning, exam prep, skill development.
• Examples: Byju’s AI-driven journeys, IIT Madras AI-based labs, NEAT initiative.
• Bridges rural-urban gaps with regional language content.
• Impact: Democratizes education but risks over-reliance and reduced critical thinking.

🔹 C) Medicine

• AI aids early diagnosis, drug discovery, robotic surgeries, predictive healthcare.
• India’s healthcare AI market: $0.6 billion (2024) → $6.6 billion (2030).
• Examples: AI detecting diabetic retinopathy, Tata’s cancer detection, DeepMind eye disease diagnosis.
• COVID-19: AI modelled virus spread, optimised vaccine distribution.
• Impact: Saves lives with faster, accurate decisions; improves access in underserved regions.

⚖️ Balanced View

• Defence benefits strategically but applications are confidential and indirect for public.
• Education transformative, equalises opportunities, slower adoption in rural India.
• Medicine shows most immediate, measurable, life-saving impact — directly influences survival, costs, accessibility.

🔚 Conclusion

• All three sectors benefit significantly from AI.
• Medicine stands out for direct, critical, widespread impact on human lives.
• Therefore, healthcare is the most significantly affected sector today.