Künstlicher Intelligence (KI) was introduced in India in a variety of fields, including government, education, healthcare, and agriculture

Global AI Governance Trends

Over the past year, nations' priorities for AI regulation have changed from primarily ensuring safety and human rights to also encouraging innovation and stimulating the economy.

Legislative Frameworks: To control AI, nations like the US, China, Canada, South Korea, Peru, and the EU have enacted official legislation.

Draft Laws: AI bills are pending approval in a number of countries, including the UK, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Pakistan.

Strategic Documents: National AI strategy documents including policy objectives, ethical standards, financial allotments, and sectoral priorities have been published by the African Union and more than 85 other nations.

The necessity of regulating AI

Preventing Misinformation: Artificial intelligence-generated disinformation and deepfakes have the potential to sway public opinion.

Preserving Privacy: Civil liberties will be compromised by unregulated mass surveillance technologies.

Avoiding Algorithmic Bias: Discriminatory views toward marginalized groups can potentially be replicated by artificial intelligence.

Preventing Labor and employment Displacement: Traditional sectors are facing the prospect of employment automation.

Preventing Concentration of Power: A small number of AI-enabled businesses present a risk of monopoly and social inequality.

Preventing Existential Risk: If advanced artificial intelligence is allowed to grow out of control, it may eventually surpass human control.

Ethical Concerns: Improper and unethical use of AI systems could undermine ongoing efforts in the social, environmental, and economic spheres and make it more difficult to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

India's Present Method

Absence of a Formal Strategy India does not yet have a national AI policy or specific laws that have been adopted. The only public strategic document is a discussion paper published by NITI Aayog in 2018 that was not formally adopted.

Indirect governance of AI systems is provided by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 and the IT Act of 2000, mostly through data protection.

IndiaAI Mission: Through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the government established the IndiaAI Mission in the lack of a formal statute. Seven pillars support the purpose, which is to promote an innovative and responsible AI environment.

Expert Consultancy Group: To create suggestions for AI governance, an advisory council has been formed.

Main Initiatives and Strategies

National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NSAI): Launched by NITI Aayog in 2018, it aims to steer the responsible advancement of AI in essential areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education, smart mobility, and smart cities.

Nonetheless, it is not obligatory and lacks subsequent enforceable rules.

AI Task Force (2018): Established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to propose strategies for utilizing AI in India’s economic transformation. Nevertheless, suggestions recognized but not officially documented.

Responsible AI for Social Empowerment (RAISE 2020): Organized by MeitY and NITI Aayog, it emphasized AI governance, ethics, inclusivity, and public-private partnerships, among other topics.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT (2021 & 2023 Reports): The recommendations of these reports include a specialized AI regulatory framework and the creation of an AI regulatory authority.

Path Ahead

Create a National AI Policy: This policy document must define India’s aspirations for AI, pinpoint key sectors (such as health, education, and agriculture), establish ethical guidelines, and clarify institutional roles.

Promote Public Engagement and Awareness: Organized discussions involving academia, industry, and civil society are crucial for improving transparency and guaranteeing accountability in AI implementation.

Trial Regulatory Instruments: India ought to introduce pilot-scale regulatory measures—like algorithm evaluations or risk categorization frameworks—prior to establishing a comprehensive AI legislation.

Invest in Institutional Capability: This encompasses assistance for AI research facilities, accessible datasets, skill enhancement programs, autonomous ethics boards, and industry oversight organizations.

Conclusion

India’s strategy for AI regulation emphasizes growth and implementation instead of rigid legal structures. Although this provides flexibility, it also creates shortcomings in transparency, accountability, and the ethical implementation of AI.

With the rapid adoption of AI, India needs to contemplate a systematic governance framework to guarantee responsible and inclusive growth of AI.