AI framework to be presented by July: MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Calling out the need for a global consultative approach towards the creation of regulations around artificial intelligence (AI), Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for information technology, said India has taken the lead in framing such regulations.

He also stated that these frameworks will be presented by June-July this year.

“India has taken the lead in creating this draft paper. We expect to have a draft framework discussed and debated by June-July this year. We will have a mid-year Global partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) summit. Here, most countries and especially the Global South, who normally get excluded from any debate about the future of tech, will participate,” said Chandrasekhar. He was speaking at the 32nd Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum in Mumbai.

“We have the opportunity and responsibility to shape the way the world thinks and cooperate in creating a framework that harnesses the potential of AI. It should also have a cooperative mechanism that protects all consumers,” he added.

He also said the approach to regulating AI in India would be similar to the way the government has introduced rules around the Internet.

“We want to have transparency around the process for AI. They will essentially be legally accountable and trusted for the consumers who will consume. The basic principle will be that every platform has to be legally accountable for any harm that it causes or enables, and corollary that they should not enable criminality,” he added.

Chandrasekhar said that the intention is to harness AI for economic growth and address potential risks and harms.

He also added that given the ‘ubiquitous’ and ‘boundary-agnostic’ nature of the Internet and AI, it is important that there is a global governance framework that deals with safety and trust of AI.

“It is impossible for any one country to regulate the internet as the harm that the internet causes…these are always extra jurisdictional. Therefore, there is no escape for a need for alignment around the principles that will be underpinning the global framework, and India has offered to lead in it,” he added.

Chandrasekar also added that talent is going to be a strategic competitor and strength for the country.

He shared that there is certainly a global shortage of talent and it is not only about engineers but in many other areas.

“We have worked with global giants and drafted a multi-year curriculum that covers diploma, undergrad, masters and postdoctoral scholars to create global competent talent and will be implemented from 2023,” he added.