New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the World Bank as a knowledge partner, hosted a two-day National Workshop titled “Using Alternate Data Sources and Frontier Technologies for Policy Making” at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on June 5 and 6. The workshop concluded with a Valedictory Session on June 6.
According to an official release, the Valedictory Session was graced by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India, as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI; and P.R. Meshram, Director General, MoSPI. The workshop was attended by over 450 participants representing central ministries, state governments, international organisations including the World Bank, academic and research institutions, and the private sector.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood emphasized that alternate data sources and frontier technologies are increasingly vital for policy making. While traditional data reflects historical trends, alternative data offers high-frequency, real-time insights—helping formulate more responsive and agile policies. However, he stressed that alternative sources are not replacements but supplements to traditional data. He also called for a collaborative ecosystem involving government, academia, industry, and international agencies, while advocating for the ethical deployment of AI and the safeguarding of data security and privacy. Prof. Sood also highlighted India’s contribution in the form of its techno-legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure.
Prof. Abhay Karandikar remarked that policy making involves complex processes of data collection, stakeholder engagement, and insight generation. While AI and machine learning have expedited data processing, the key challenge lies in navigating issues of data privacy, security, and institutional preparedness. He stressed the need for a robust hybrid data ecosystem that incorporates both traditional and alternative data sources.
Dr. Saurabh Garg underlined the importance of stakeholder collaboration in strengthening India’s statistical infrastructure. Noting that survey data often comes with time lags, he advocated for using alternative data to complement official sources for real-time policy decisions. Citing the UN’s Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, he encouraged a mixed-method approach using surveys, censuses, administrative data, and alternate sources to ensure quality, timeliness, and cost-efficiency. He expressed optimism that MoSPI would begin implementing identified use cases for alternative data and frontier technologies within the next 3–6 months.
In his welcome address, P.R. Meshram acknowledged the support of NITI Aayog, the World Bank, and other participants. He noted that the workshop provided valuable insights into the challenges and solutions involved in integrating alternate data into India’s statistical system.
The technical session on AI and Data Science for Official Statistics focused on contextualising AI and data science in official statistics. Discussions covered the progression of the National Statistics Office from pilot to production stages. Key speakers included Abhishek Singh (India AI), Debjani Ghosh (NITI Aayog), Ankit Bose (NASSCOM), Prof. Balaraman Ravindran (IIT-Madras), and experts from the UK Office for National Statistics and World Bank.
Another technical session explored frameworks for using mobile data in tourism analytics tailored to Indian contexts. It discussed global use-cases for tourism, urban mobility, and infrastructure planning. Speakers included officials from NDMA, ITU, Airtel, and academic institutions from Indonesia and India.
The session on Geo-Spatial Data for Sampling, Ocean Accounting, and Data Dissemination highlighted how geospatial tools enhance data collection, integration, and dissemination. It included discussion on urban sampling updates and ocean accounting. Presentations featured inputs from ESRI, MapMyIndia, NRSC, INCOIS, NCCR, World Bank, and academic bodies.
The session on Scanner Data for CPI Compilation covered methodologies for incorporating scanner data and web scraping in CPI computations. It focused on infrastructure, privacy, and e-commerce data integration. Speakers included experts from the World Bank, Bank of Italy, JNU, IIT Bombay, V-Mart, and Nielsen IQ.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ashutosh Ojha, DDG, MoSPI. He acknowledged the contributions of dignitaries, multilateral agencies, industry professionals, academia, and government officials for making the event a success.
This initiative highlights India’s strategic shift towards integrating frontier technologies and real-time data in public policy, aiming for greater responsiveness, inclusivity, and effectiveness in governance. (ANI)
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