Staff Reporter
Panaji
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu on Monday pushed for audit of blue economy and artificial intelligence (AI) by G20 nations, pointing out that both sectors offer solutions to the multiple problems facing the world.
“Audit of the two areas will ensure good governance, transparency and accountability and can optimise their positive impact on humankind,” he said at the inaugural session of the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI20) summit being held at Taj Convention Centre, Dona Paula.
Murmu said that oceans unite the globe in providing sustenance, employment, connectivity and resources, while AI brings people together through a global network of shared data, technologies and capabilities.
The three-day summit is being chaired by Murmu. It is being attended by about 85 national and international delegates from G20 countries.
The summit aims at coming out with a new policy framework to value the contribution of natural oceanic capital and promote responsible AI.
Murmu in his address to heads of audit institutions of SAI members, international organisations and engagement groups explained that the blue economy has diverse components that include not only traditional industries such as fisheries, tourism and maritime transport but also new and emerging activities such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed extractive activities, marine biotechnology and bio-prospecting.
“Today, the blue economy is expected to take forward the concept of LiFE or Lifestyle for Environment introduced by India at the COP26 Glasgow summit. The emphasis presently is on mindful and purposeful utilisation rather than mindless and wasteful consumption,” he said.
The CAG said that the G20 nations are reorienting policies and regulations to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
“Ocean accounts go beyond GDP. They seek to enhance the power of data by integrating multiple datasets and creating a common information infrastructure to enable evidence-based decision making on ocean-based matters,” Murmu explained.
He added that the reality of AI has come a long way since the term was first coined in 1956.
“Today it is an integral part of our lives, whether we realise it or not. For a layman, ChatGPT has triggered the debate on its utility vis-à-vis risks, especially if recklessly used by young students. Google CEO Sundar Pichai held that AI needs inputs from social scientists, ethicists and philosophers. Perhaps, he should have also included auditors and SAls,” said Murmu.
Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, who was the chief guest at the session, said that SAI20 will play a central role in strengthening governance and having a positive impact on the lives of citizens.
“Establishment of SAI20 is a very positive step as it has led to the creation of a network between audit institutions of members to coordinate and articulate strategies,” G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said.