As world leaders descended on Delhi, technology became an important tool for security and event curation. Modern equipment was used in several ways to enhance the management of the Group of Twenty (G2) event. This is the first time India is hosting an event of this magnitude. The invitee list includes about 40 world leaders from across the globe including prime ministers, presidents, and representatives from international organisations.
What is the G20 Summit?
Founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, the G20 is an international forum for economic cooperation. Following the global economic and financial crisis of 2007, the G20 became a congregation that included the Heads of State/Government. By 2009, it was was formalized as a “premier forum for international economic cooperation”.
The G20 has a rotating Presidency that becomes the leader for that year. The G20 summit is held annually and initially focuses on broad macroeconomic issues. However, over the years it has incorporated into its agenda inter-alia development, trade, health, agriculture, energy, environment, etc.
Who is visiting India for the G20 Summit?
- US President Joe Biden
- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
- Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Technology Used at the G20 Summit
As India becomes a land of digital infrastructure, the G20 Summit is also using several solutions to enhance planning and execution. Here are some technologies used for the G20 summit that showcase India’s technology prowess:
1. Drones for better security
In preparation for this high-profile summit, Delhi used modern equipment to enhance security such as drones and security cameras. A DRDO statement that that their use of modern equipment will help to sanitise VIP areas by detecting snipers. It will help in detection as well as location of commonly used active and passive surveillance devices. In fact, DRDO used their Optical Target Locator to keep greater vigil in the VIP areas as well as the Bharat Mandapam.
2. The Digital India Experience Zone
Placed at the ‘Culture Corridor — G20 Digital Museum’, The ‘Digital India Experience Zone’ showcases the technological innovations being done in India. It gives glimpses into some of the critical initiatives run under the Digital India programme.
However, some of the tech highlights of the India pavilion are:
- Aadhaar
- DigiLocker
- UPI
- eSanjeevani
- DIKSHA
- Bhashini
- ONDC
- Ask GITA
- MyGov
- CoWIN
- UMANG
- JanDhan
- e-NAM
- GSTN
- FastTag
3. What is ASK GITA?
India’s very own ChatGPT version, GITA (Guidance, Inspiration, Transformation, and Action) is an AI interface. Interestingly, this AI model gives answer based on the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita. It is available in Hindi and English.
This innovative platform is powered by Ask, an AI model rooted in the teachings of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita. Hence, GITA is able to provide tailored solutions to life’s questions.
4. Tailored weather forecasting by IMD
Several parts of northern India underwent severe rains in the past two months. So it was pragmatic of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to prepare for this event. The IMD set up an additional automatic weather station near the G20 Summit venue. A specialised station, it provides real-time weather forecasts. The forecast is also tailored as per the requirements of this event.
5. DD goes hi-tech with better cameras
Starting 9 September, viewers of Door Darshan were able to see grand views of the G20 Summit venue. This is the first time that India’s public broadcaster has used Ultra High Definition (UHD)/4K broadcast technology. DD has deployed 80 UHD / 4K cameras at locations across all the venues. This includes the airport, Raj Ghat, media press centre, ITPO etc.
Have you been noticing any cool tech at the G20 summit that we missed in this list? Let us know and we will include it here!
