DUBAI: India has secured the prestigious 9th GovTech Prize for its pioneering endeavors in AI-powered government services, at the World Government Summit 2024. The annual award is instituted by the government of the UAE and is presented to government entities, central or local, worldwide, to recognize creative and innovative solutions. India won under the category of ‘AI-Powered Government Services’.
The accolade recognizes the remarkable efforts of the Ministry for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, for its transformative project known as iRASTE. iRASTE, a collaborative initiative involving the government, industry, and academia, is revolutionizing road safety through the integration of AI technology. This innovative project marks a significant departure from conventional approaches by harnessing the predictive power of AI to preemptively address road safety challenges.
At its core, iRASTE aims to reimagine road safety by leveraging AI as a force multiplier in road safety engineering. By harnessing predictive insights generated by AI algorithms, iRASTE endeavors to prevent accidents before they occur, thus mitigating the risk of fatalities and injuries on Indian roads.
The project’s objectives are ambitious yet attainable, with a targeted 50% reduction in road accidents anticipated in urban areas. Additionally, iRASTE aims to significantly diminish black spots within the city’s road network, further enhancing safety and efficiency in transportation systems.
The award was distributed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai, and received by Tadu Mamu, Consul at the Consulate General of India, on India’s behalf.
Vinod Kumar (UAE)