India’s AI ecosystem has undergone a major shift in the last few years, especially with the advent of GenAI. The rapid evolution of this space has not only sparked innovation across industries but also raised pressing concerns about the ethical implications of the use of AI.

Therefore, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently introduced AI governance guidelines as part of its ambitious INR 10,371.92 Cr IndiaAI Mission.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, the Centre has formed an advisory group, chaired by the principal scientific advisor, to undertake the development of an ‘AI for India-Specific Regulatory Framework’.

Under the groups’ guidance, a subcommittee on ‘AI Governance and Guidelines Development’ has been asked to provide recommendations for AI governance in India.

Currently open for consultation, the report has called for transparency, accountability, deployment of a “fair and inclusive” AI system, and the importance of human oversight, among others.

Meanwhile, industry stakeholders Inc42 spoke with seemed cautiously optimistic. While some worry that impending regulations could stifle growth, many see these guidelines as essential for fostering innovation.

Now, before we delve deeper, let’s take a look at the recommendations:

• MeitY and the principal scientific adviser have been tasked to establish a mechanism to coordinate AI governance across sectors.
• A technical secretariat is to be established to serve as a technical advisory body and coordination focal point.
• The technical secretariat should also establish, house, and operate an AI incident database as a repository of problems experienced in the real world that should guide responses to mitigate or avoid repeated bad outcomes.
• To enhance transparency and governance across the AI ecosystem, the technical secretariat should engage the industry to drive voluntary commitments on transparency across the overall AI ecosystem.
• The technical secretariat should examine the suitability of technological measures to address AI-related risks.
• Recommendations are in place to form a sub-group to work with MeitY to suggest specific measures that may be considered under the proposed legislation like the Digital India Act (DIA) to strengthen and harmonise the legal framework.

What’s The Need?

In the AI governance guidelines report, MeitY said, “AI........

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