India at the forefront of AI governance

India’s recent AI summit concluded with the New Delhi Declaration, engaging 88 nations and marking a major milestone in global AI regulatory efforts, highlighting India’s growing influence on the international stage.

The declaration presents a global vision for “collaborative, trusted, resilient, and efficient” artificial intelligence, highlighting that its benefits must be shared by all of humanity to realise its full potential.

AI has become very popular in the last decade, especially in the past five years. It has many benefits but also poses risks, making the topic complicated. People around the world are worried about these risks.The recent summit was the first of its kind in the region and focused on these growing concerns about AI.India has signed an agreement to join Pax Silica, a US — led group focused on building a strong supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI).

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the alliance’s significance for the semiconductor industry and stated, ““ The U.S. delegation head at the AI summit added, “AI adoption cannot lead to a brighter future if hindered by bureaucracies and centralised control.”The summit attracted major investments for India, with the Adani Group and Ambani each committing $1 billion and Microsoft investing `50 billion.

This summit highlights India’s commitment to aligning its AI standards with global frameworks, with a focus on inclusion, responsibility, and international leadership in AI regulation.The summit brought together participants from over 88 countries, including leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. A strong US delegation and executives from companies such as Microsoft and IBM highlighted the importance of international collaboration.

According to the official report, around 250,000 attendees, mainly under 30, participated in the exhibition.Technology Minister Vaishnaw believed that India’s AI investments could increase to $140 billion.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into daily life-from healthcare to entertainment — the need for regulatory oversight is growing. AI is a double-edged weapon. While it can help increase efficiency, there are also possible risks.What is AI technology, and why is the world concerned? There is cause for concern, as it is a double-edged weapon. There is fear that AI will take over the world.

AI can help improve patient care and resource management in organisations, but it raises ethical, privacy, and security concerns. There’s also anxiety about job displacement and bias in credit systems and the criminal justice system, with predictions that AI could eliminate 85 million jobs globally by 2025.Additionally, people are increasingly worried about how data is handled and its consequences. Establishing common standards benefits everyone.

AI regulations vary worldwide: the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act imposes strict rules on high-risk systems, while the US adopts a fragmented approach, underscoring the need for a unified global regulatory framework.These differences highlight the need for a more unified approach, as international collaboration is essential for establishing universally adopted standards and best practices in AI.

The summit showcased India’s expanding digital infrastructure and the government’s proactive steps, including a comprehensive AI roadmap, to establish the country as a global leader in technology and AI development.The India AI Mission has allocated `10,372 crore to enhance the artificial intelligence ecosystem. Additionally, more than 38,000 GPUs have been integrated into a centralised computing facility, and 12 indigenous foundation models are currently under development. Consequently, India is positioning itself as both a developer and a facilitator in the emerging era of AI.AI is now a vital part of India’s defence sector, according to Dr Chandrika Kaushik, Director General of DRDO.

Policymakers are worried that the lack of transparency in private markets, such as private credit and private equity, could hinder the identification of early warning signs of trouble.

India’s challenges include striking a balance between innovation and government overregulation of AI. It could stifle creativity and hinder the development of groundbreaking technologies. At the same time, a lack of regulation could lead to dangerous results.Regulatory bodies need to engage with stakeholders across the AI ecosystem, including technologists, ethicists, and civil society organisations. This collaborative approach ensures that regulations are grounded in practical realities and adaptable to the fast-evolving nature of AI technology.

There is growing recognition of the importance of fostering ethical AI practices, including transparency, fair access, and user privacy, to reassure users that responsible development is a priority.As we acknowledge the potential of artificial intelligence, a balanced regulatory framework can help us maximise the benefits of AI while minimising its risks.

The way we regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in the future will greatly affect society. We must ensure that AI is used to help everyone. Many countries are worried that AI might take control of our world. The conference was a chance to promote transparency, which is important for reassuring people around the globe.

The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal