By Dr. Nivash Jeevanandam

In collaboration with UNESCO, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) hosted a pivotal Stakeholder Consultation on Safety and Ethics in AI today at UNESCO House, New Delhi.

The consultation spotlighted the “IndiaAI Mission,” structured around seven foundational pillars, including a core emphasis on “Safe and Trusted AI,” positioning India to influence global standards in AI governance.

Key Objectives and Strategic Vision

The consultation established six main goals, focusing on India’s aspiration to become a responsible AI giant. Attendees gained insight into the IndiaAI Mission’s goals, which underscore AI innovation grounded in robust safety and ethical principles. These objectives also include showcasing real-world applications and promoting best practices that align with ethical governance, safety, and security in AI.

Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, elaborated on India’s strategic approach, particularly the “Safe and Trusted AI” pillar. This principle advocates a shared responsibility model wherein developers, the government, civil society, and end-users uphold AI safety.

Krishnan mentioned, “Those who make the large language models or those who develop applications on large language models are the people who should be concerned about making sure that AI is responsible.”

He emphasized that while fostering innovation, developing policies that uphold transparency, data privacy, and security are essential, aligning with global AI standards.

Krishnan stated, “The Data Privacy and Digital Data Protection Act, the DPDP Act, is one important element of our strategy towards how safe and trusted AI can be achieved and how responsible AI can be achieved.” He reiterated India’s active participation in international AI forums, demonstrating a commitment to ethical AI usage while balancing innovation with regulation.

Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of MeitY, underscored the government’s dedication to an innovation-friendly AI environment promoting responsible governance in his address. He said, “ India’s approach is for balance and a pro-innovation approach to AI governance.”

Singh highlighted UNESCO’s valuable contributions in conducting AI readiness assessments. He elucidated the IndiaAI Mission’s “Seven Pillars,” focusing on compute capacity, broad dataset access, extensive skill-building initiatives, and ethical governance frameworks.

Singh stated, “India’s AI innovation system has the potential to be the path bearer for AI development and deployment in a responsible manner, not only in India but for the entire global south.”

He conveyed India’s distinct potential to set an example in deploying AI for social good, especially across critical areas like healthcare, education, and agriculture. The mission emphasizes AI deployment that is inclusive, transparent, and secure, underpinned by partnerships across academia, industry, and government.

Furthermore, Mr Tim Curtis, Director, UNESCO South Asia Regional Office in his speech stated “AI has shown potential to bridge critical gaps in the field of Education, Healthcare and many more..”

UNESCO’s Ethical Framework for AI

A core part of the consultation involved UNESCO’s presentation on AI ethics, providing an overview of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. UNESCO emphasized universal ethical principles, including transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and fairness, adapting these to diverse socio-economic contexts. This framework offers a globally recognized reference point for AI ethics and is pivotal for India, whose AI landscape is marked by unique cultural and demographic diversity.

UNESCO’s participation reflects a critical alignment between global ethical AI standards and India’s domestic objectives. UNESCO’s framework is a foundational reference for India’s ethical AI development. It integrates 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

A highlight 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 ethical AI principles in research and development. The institute’s projects, alongside the Safe & Trusted AI pillar, emphasize creating indigenous governance tools and frameworks, further advancing India’s AI safety and trustworthiness goals. Developing self-assessment guidelines for innovators is also underway, helping AI practitioners in India align with best practices in safety and ethics.

AI Policy Roadmap

An essential outcome of the consultation is formulating a roadmap for AI safety and ethics. The discussions explored comparative advantages, existing gaps, and emerging challenges within India’s AI ecosystem, aiming to craft strategic policy recommendations. By collaborating with government, industry, academia, and civil society stakeholders, MeitY and UNESCO are working towards policies that foster AI’s positive potential while safeguarding 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 global AI ethics underscores its readiness to assume a leadership role. By addressing ethical concerns proactively, India demonstrates a commitment to responsible AI deployment that benefits society and upholds democratic values. This consultation shows India’s determination to use AI for societal good and the IndiaAI Mission, leading the globe in AI’s ethical, safe, and responsible application.