UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 18

This question tests applications of artificial intelligence. The key concept is: Artificial intelligence already supports industrial optimisation, medical diagnosis, text-to-speech systems and generative creation of text or music. Wireless transmission of electrical energy is a power-engineering problem rather than an inherent AI capability. Hence statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within the technology's demonstrated or emerging applications, while 5 is not. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option B. Option A — 1, 2, 3 and 5 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Artificial intelligence already supports industrial optimisation, medical diagnosis, text-to-speech systems and generative creation of text or music. Wireless transmission of electrical energy is a power-engineering problem rather than an inherent AI capability. Hence statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within the technology's demonstrated or emerging applications, while 5 is not. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — 1, 3 and 4 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Artificial intelligence already supports industrial optimisation, medical diagnosis, text-to-speech systems and generative creation of text or music. Wireless transmission of electrical energy is a power-engineering problem rather than an inherent AI capability. Hence statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within the technology's demonstrated or emerging applications, while 5 is not. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option C — 2, 4 and 5 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Artificial intelligence already supports industrial optimisation, medical diagnosis, text-to-speech systems and generative creation of text or music. Wireless transmission of electrical energy is a power-engineering problem rather than an inherent AI capability. Hence statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within the technology's demonstrated or emerging applications, while 5 is not. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Artificial intelligence already supports industrial optimisation, medical diagnosis, text-to-speech systems and generative creation of text or music. Wireless transmission of electrical energy is a power-engineering problem rather than an inherent AI capability. Hence statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within the technology's demonstrated or emerging applications, while 5 is not. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option B is the verified answer.