India’s Final Stakeholder Consultation to Advance Responsible AI
The UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission and Ikigai Law, convened the fifth and final stakeholder consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in India. This significant event gathered over 200 experts from various sectors, including government, academia, civil society, and the private sector, to discuss strategies for ethical and inclusive AI governance.
Background of the Consultation
This consultation was the culmination of a national series of discussions that took place in major cities such as New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Guwahati. The outcomes of these meetings are intended to form the foundation for an India-specific AI policy report, which aims to map the nation’s strengths, identify growth opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations for advancing responsible AI adoption across various sectors.
Purpose of the AI RAM
The AI RAM serves as a diagnostic tool designed to assist governments in building the necessary regulatory and institutional capacity to govern AI effectively. This initiative aligns with India’s broader digital ambitions, particularly under the Safe and Trusted AI pillar of the IndiaAI Mission. This pillar emphasizes the country’s commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and indigenous governance frameworks, alongside robust self-assessment guidelines to democratize the benefits of AI responsibly.
Importance of Multi-Sector Collaboration
The consultation highlighted the critical need for multi-sector collaboration to ensure that AI technologies effectively address societal challenges while also fostering innovation and economic growth in a balanced manner. Mr. Tim Curtis, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, emphasized the necessity of an ‘ethics-by-design’ approach to AI, asserting that inclusive innovation must integrate ethical principles from the outset.
Keynote Address and Initiatives
In his keynote address, Mr. Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, reaffirmed India’s pro-innovation and safety-centric AI vision. He highlighted key initiatives under the mission, including:
- AI Kosh platform for datasets
- Development of foundation models
- Support for Responsible AI projects
These efforts aim to ensure that AI is not only developed in India but also works for the benefit of its citizens while minimizing associated risks. Furthermore, Mr. Singh called for enhanced capacity-building efforts to prepare India’s workforce for the evolving AI landscape, emphasizing the significance of data privacy in AI deployments.
Panel Discussion Insights
A panel discussion on “Safety and Ethics in India’s AI Ecosystem” featured prominent voices from policy, academia, and international organizations. Participants included:
- Ms. Debjani Ghosh (Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog)
- Ms. Kavita Bhatia (COO, IndiaAI Mission)
- Ms. Eunsong Kim (UNESCO)
- Dr. B. Ravindran (IIT-Madras)
- Dr. Mayank Vatsa (IIT-Jodhpur)
The panel addressed emerging regulatory frameworks, governance strategies, and the importance of public-private collaboration. Ms. Ghosh emphasized the industry’s crucial role in ensuring that AI remains both transformative and accountable, while Ms. Bhatia highlighted the collaborative spirit of the IndiaAI Mission in fostering bold yet responsible innovation.
Engagement Through Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions further deepened stakeholder engagement by focusing on various themes such as governance, infrastructure, sectoral applications, and workforce readiness. A special session dedicated to youth participation in AI development and governance reflected India’s commitment to involving the next generation in shaping ethical AI.
Participants acknowledged the necessity for continuous dialogue and iterative policy-making to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, ensuring that AI development remains relevant and effective.
Comprehensive Assessment Tool
The AI RAM is characterized as a comprehensive assessment tool that employs both qualitative and quantitative metrics across various dimensions, including legal, regulatory, cultural, scientific, economic, and infrastructural aspects. Its modular structure allows for adaptation to country-specific contexts, supported by a national team of stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
Commitment to Inclusive AI Development
As India continues to shape its AI governance frameworks, there is a concerted effort from both UNESCO and MeitY to translate global principles into locally relevant, actionable policies. The AI RAM initiative exemplifies this commitment, serving as both a mirror and a map for inclusive, sustainable, and ethical AI development in India.
