AI should be for everyone, not the privileged few: Raghav Chadha calls for free subscriptions in Rajya Sabha

Projecting AI as a $15-trillion industry by 2030, Chadha urged the Centre to give all Indian free access to tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, saying they must not be remain "limited to the privileged few".

Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha, has urged the Union government to give its citizens free access to advanced AI platforms, stating that India needs to buckle up for the opportunities of the upcoming decade.

Chadha made the case in a speech in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that AI should be viewed as "an opportunity to dream big and accomplish those dreams" rather than just as a piece of technology. He cautioned that without universal access, a select few will continue to profit from generative AI, leaving 140 crore Indians out of an industry that is predicted to be valued at $15 trillion worldwide by 2030.

The AAP leader reinforced his case by pointing out that countries such as the UAE, Singapore, and China have previously adopted unfettered public access to AI apps. "AI can boost productivity and save precious time," he said, pushing the government to follow global models and make products like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude publicly available in India.

Chadha selected the sectors he believes will gain the most. He suggested that AI may help farmers with crop management and planning. Students may use it to improve their education, while corporations could utilize it to expand and become more efficient. He went on to say that even the elderly could use AI to help them with daily tasks.

“Access to AI cannot be restricted by cost,” Chadha stated. “Every Indian deserves the opportunity to use these tools to improve their work and their lives.”

The demand was made the same day the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which outlaws gambling with real money while promoting social games and e-sports, was approved by the Lok Sabha. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw supported the Bill, saying it put society above money, but Chadha wanted to make AI the focal point of India's long-term technological strategy.