In response to a Lok Sabha question by Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary regarding key challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology outlined India’s approach to AI governance, regulation, and skill development. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ‘AI for All,’ aiming to balance innovation with safety, security, and privacy concerns. The response highlighted India’s growing capabilities, citing global rankings and initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission.
The query raised by Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary sought specific details on:
- whether the Government has identified key challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence including ethical concerns, privacy issues and job displacement and if so, the details thereof;
- the steps taken by the Government for ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet for users in the country amidst AI growth;
- whether the Government is considering to constitute an Advisory Group for assessing the impact of artificial intelligence across different sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, Governance, DPI and others and if so, the details thereof; and
- the measures being taken by the Government to build awareness and skills to effectively address emerging challenges along with the details of the National AI Portal.
Government’s AI Push: Bold Plans, But What About Risks?
The Indian government is pushing forward with ambitious plans to integrate artificial intelligence across various sectors, but concerns about privacy, ethical risks, and job losses remain largely unanswered.
In response to a parliamentary question, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada outlined the government’s AI strategy, highlighting India’s strong global position in artificial intelligence development. He cited rankings from Stanford University and GitHub that place India among the top countries in AI skills and projects.
However, while the government is enthusiastic about artificial intelligence’s potential in healthcare, agriculture, and education, it also acknowledges the risks of misinformation, bias, and deepfakes. To tackle these, the government has implemented regulatory frameworks such as the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. These laws require tech companies and social media platforms to prevent the spread of harmful artificial intelligence-generated content. However, critics argue that these regulations focus more on content control than addressing the deeper risks of manipulation and privacy violations.
The IndiaAI Mission: Grand Vision, But What About Execution?
The centerpiece of India’s artificial intelligence policy is the IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2024. This initiative builds on seven key pillars, including AI infrastructure, funding for startups, apps, and ethical AI development. The government prioritises safe and trusted artificial intelligence to ensure responsible AI usage, but enforcement details remain unclear.
The government has also announced eight “Responsible AI” projects focusing on artificial intelligence bias reduction, privacy safeguards, and ethical frameworks. These are promising steps, but how effectively they will be implemented is still uncertain.
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Jobs?
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the adoption of artificial intelligence is job displacement. Automation threatens many traditional jobs, especially in sectors like manufacturing and customer service. However, the government’s response largely avoids addressing this issue.
Instead, the focus is on skill development. The IndiaAI FutureSkills initiative offers fellowships for B.Tech and M.Tech students and aims to train more AI professionals. The government is also setting up IndiaAI Data Labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to teach AI-related skills. While these programs may help some workers transition into jobs, they don’t answer the bigger question: what happens to those whose jobs artificial intelligence replaces?
Who Controls Data?
A major issue with artificial intelligence expansion is data privacy and ownership. AI systems require vast amounts of data, and India’s policy relies on large datasets to train models. The government claims that its artificial intelligence regulations align with the DPDP Act, 2023, but critics worry about how authorities will use personal data and whether citizens can control their information.
The government has formed an Advisory Group on AI Regulations, chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, to create a framework for responsible AI. However, no clear timeline or actionable steps have been provided yet.
AI for All – But At What Cost?
The government frequently highlights its “AI for All” vision, but critics point out that artificial intelligence development in India remains heavily dependent on private sector involvement, raising concerns about monopolization and the accessibility of AI tools for the common citizen.
Additionally, while the National AI Portal serves as a knowledge hub for AI-related developments, there is little public awareness or debate on how artificial intelligence could affect civil liberties, surveillance, and employment.
Risks Acknowledged, But Are Regulations Enough?
The government admitted that artificial intelligence poses risks such as hallucination (false information generated by ChatGPT and others), bias, misinformation, and deepfakes. To tackle this, it pointed to the IT Rules, 2021, which mandate that social media platforms remove harmful AI-generated content. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 was also highlighted as a safeguard for digital privacy.
However, critics argue that these regulations focus more on controlling online content rather than addressing the deeper risks of artificial intelligence misuse. How effectively will tech companies be held accountable? Will these laws ensure that deepfakes do not manipulate public opinion, especially during elections?
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