India Cautions About Deepfake Tech Risks, Highlights Stronger Regulation
India is increasingly aware of the rising risks posed by deepfake technology and is committed to establishing stronger regulations to combat the growing challenges associated with it. This assertion was made by the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a media interaction at the Indian AI Impact Summit 2026, held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Vaishnaw emphasized the necessity of protecting society from the harms of deepfakes, stating, “We need to protect our society from this harm. We have initiated a dialogue with the industry around this.” He reiterated the critical need for safeguards to ensure the responsible use of AI in India.
AI Development with Cultural Context
The minister highlighted that AI systems being developed in India are designed with the cultural context of the country in mind. Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI tools are being trained on Indian data to ensure relevance, inclusivity, and sensitivity to local norms and practices.
Self-Reliance in AI
Reinforcing the importance of achieving self-reliance in India’s AI journey, Vaishnaw stated, “We do not want to be dependent on others for our strategic requirements. This is part of sovereign AI.” He projected that the country is poised to receive substantial investments across the entire AI ecosystem, with expectations of over $200 billion investment in the next two years.
Global AI Hub Vision
Vaishnaw articulated the government’s vision of transforming India into a global hub for AI development and infrastructure. He noted, “Today, India is being seen as a trusted AI partner to the Global South, seeking open, affordable and development-focused solutions.” A trusted AI ecosystem is anticipated to attract more investment and accelerate adoption.
Innovative Solutions: AI ka UPI
Plans for creating an “AI ka UPI” were also shared. This initiative aims to offer a range of trusted AI solutions, presented as a UPI-like platform for developers to build specific use cases. The minister highlighted the government’s push to make AI accessible, secure, and scalable for developers and innovators.
Regulation for Global Tech Companies
Vaishnaw expressed expectations that global tech companies operate within India’s laws and cultural context. Major brands, including Netflix and Meta, are expected to comply with the legal framework of India while conducting their operations.
Partnerships and Investments
In reference to the absence of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was unable to attend the summit, Vaishnaw mentioned that Nvidia is exploring partnerships with Indian companies for substantial investments in AI development within the country.
The Fifth Industrial Revolution
Describing artificial intelligence as the fifth industrial revolution, Vaishnaw highlighted its transformative potential across industries and society. He reiterated India’s wealth of engineering talent and innovative mindset, positioning the country as ideally suited to lead the AI movement.
