Discussions Around AI Regulations Ongoing; Political Consensus Required: Vaishnaw

The Minister for IT and Electronics further said all sections of society must fully understand the threats and potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

Outlook Start-Up Desk

Updated on: 4 July 2024 11:34 am

Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday that discussions on AI regulations are ongoing and a political consensus would be required. The Minister for IT and Electronics further said all sections of society must fully understand the threats and potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

"Only then should we approach legal action," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 'Global India AI Summit'. Asked about the timelines for India to carve out regulation and guardrails on AI, the minister said while discussions are ongoing, political consensus would be needed.

"Discussions are on. It requires political consensus," he said. Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada asserted that India stands ready to be at the forefront of AI innovation.

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"As the council chair of the Global Partnership on AI, India has been reinforcing its commitment to furthering and democratizing AI and its associated benefits ethically and responsibly," he said.

Prasada said that India's vision is to "make AI in India" and "make AI work for India." He called for collaborative efforts to develop solutions for AI to solve problems and challenges in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education.

The Global India AI Summit is being hosted for two days, July 3 and 4, by the government of India. The summit aims to address AI advancement in key areas that include compute capacity, foundational models, datasets, application development, future skills, startup financing, and safe AI.

Experts from the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), delegates, veterans of the start-up and industry, practitioners of AI, academics, students, and representatives from the central and state governments were present at the event.

These seven areas are also part of the IndiaAI mission. Approved by the cabinet in March 2024, the mission aims to “drive responsible and inclusive growth of India's AI ecosystem through the following seven pillars.”

(With inputs from PTI)