In collaboration with UNESCO, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) today organized a crucial stakeholder consultation on security and ethics in AI at the House of UNESCO, New Delhi.
The consultation highlighted the ‘IndiaAI Mission’, structured around seven core pillars, including a primary focus on ‘Safe and Trusted AI’, enabling India to influence global standards in AI governance. ‘AI.
Key objectives and strategic vision
The consultation set out six main objectives, focused on India’s aspiration to become a responsible AI giant. Participants were given an overview of the IndiaAI mission objectives, which emphasize AI innovation based on strong security and ethical principles. These goals also include showcasing real-world applications and promoting best practices that align with ethical governance, safety, and security of AI.
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, explained India’s strategic approach, particularly the ‘Safe and Trusted AI’ pillar. This principle advocates a model of shared responsibility in which developers, government, civil society and end users ensure the safety of AI.
Krishnan mentioned: “Those who create the large language models or those who develop applications on large language models are the ones who should be concerned about making sure that the AI is responsible. »
He stressed that while fostering innovation, it is essential to develop policies that ensure transparency, data privacy and security, aligning with global AI standards.
Krishnan said: “The Data Privacy and Digital Data Protection Act, DPDP Act, is an important part of our strategy to achieve safe and trustworthy AI and responsible AI. He reiterated India’s active participation in international AI forums, demonstrating its commitment to ethical use of AI while balancing innovation and regulation.
Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, in his speech highlighted the government’s commitment to an AI environment that is conducive to innovation and fosters responsible governance. He said, “India’s approach focuses on balance and a pro-innovation approach to AI governance. »
Singh highlighted the valuable contributions of UNESCO in conducting AI readiness assessments. He explained the “seven pillars” of the IndiaAI mission, focusing on computational capacity, access to a large data set, broad skill development initiatives and ethical governance frameworks.
Singh said, “India’s AI innovation system has the potential to pave the way for the development and deployment of AI responsibly, not just in India, but across the South. »
He highlighted India’s distinctive potential to lead by example in deploying AI for social good, particularly in critical areas like healthcare, education and agriculture. The mission emphasizes inclusive, transparent and secure AI deployment, supported by partnerships between academia, industry and government.
Furthermore, Mr. Tim Curtis, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, said in his speech: “AI has shown its potential to fill critical gaps in the areas of education, health and many more. »
UNESCO Ethical Framework for AI
A key part of the consultation involved UNESCO’s presentation on AI ethics, providing an overview of the UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics. UNESCO has emphasized universal ethical principles, including transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and equity, adapting them to various socio-economic contexts. This framework provides a globally recognized reference point for AI ethics and is essential for India, whose AI landscape is marked by unique cultural and demographic diversity.
UNESCO’s participation reflects a critical alignment between global AI ethical standards and India’s national goals. The UNESCO framework is a fundamental reference for the ethical development of AI in India. It fits seamlessly with the Safe & Trusted AI pillar, guiding India’s pursuit of AI governance that respects human rights and promotes social equity.
Research and practical implementation
One of the highlights of the consultation was the presentation of research from the Indian AI Safety Institute. This segment showcased ongoing projects dedicated to ‘Responsible AI’, reinforcing the IndiaAI Mission’s commitment to operationalizing the ethical principles of AI in research and development. The institute’s projects, alongside the Safe & Trusted AI pillar, focus on creating indigenous governance tools and frameworks, thereby advancing India’s AI security and trustworthiness goals . The development of self-assessment guidelines for innovators is also underway, helping AI practitioners in India align with best practices in security and ethics.
AI policy roadmap
A key outcome of the consultation is the formulation of a roadmap for AI safety and ethics. The discussions explored the comparative advantages, existing gaps and emerging challenges within the Indian AI ecosystem, with the aim of developing strategic policy recommendations. By collaborating with stakeholders from government, industry, academia and civil society, MeitY and UNESCO are working to develop policies that promote the positive potential of AI while preserving public trust .
AI Safety and Ethics
The stakeholder consultation marks a significant step forward in India’s AI journey, reflecting a convergence of international ethics and local priorities. As AI continues to shape economies and societies, India’s active engagement with the global AI ethos underscores its willingness to take a leadership role. By proactively addressing ethical concerns, India demonstrates its commitment to responsible deployment of AI that benefits society and upholds democratic values. This consultation shows India’s determination to use AI for the good of society and the IndiaAI mission, a global leader in the ethical, safe and responsible application of AI.
