Speaking at an industry event this week, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan said that consultations on laws governing AI had already begun. Both Krishnan and Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had previously stated that the government would consider separately legislating for AI at an appropriate time, and he added that the moment appeared to be now.
Existing laws were largely sufficient to address deepfakes or AI-manipulated media, as well as misinformation, fraud, and other issues, he argued, but this was no longer the case as AI became more sophisticated and started to be integrated into critical industries.
The new framework would provide guidance on the development of these systems while also protecting citizens, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
While the government did not set a deadline for legislation, Krishnan noted that MeitY could begin drafting proposals for approval, with the framework then being debated and approved by Parliament.
India is not alone in this endeavor as policymakers globally are considering steps to govern AI. A growing number of countries have been looking at laws and policies that seek to address potential risks to privacy, national security, intellectual property, and more while also encouraging innovation.
The move also marks a notable shift in approach for India, which has largely promoted a lax regulatory environment for technology and adopted a voluntary approach to AI governance, with laws and policies focusing on promoting innovation and adopting existing frameworks for oversight.
A separate law could add another layer of oversight while also supporting India’s broader ambitions in this space, including IndiaAI Mission, as it looks to promote and bolster its AI ecosystem alongside its digital transformation initiatives.
Industry stakeholders will also be able to contribute to the process as the government considers its proposals. The law would promote responsible innovation and address risks posed by increasingly ubiquitous and sophisticated AI systems, officials added.
