The Indian government is preparing to initiate formal stakeholder discussions to draft a standalone law for artificial intelligence regulation. S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), confirmed that while existing legal frameworks like the IT Rules have been effective in addressing initial concerns such as deepfakes and synthetic content, the rapid evolution of AI technology now necessitates a more specialized legislative approach. This shift marks a significant change in the government's strategy, moving from relying on existing statutes to considering a dedicated legal framework for the sector.
As part of this broader effort to manage AI development, the government has been actively building institutional capacity. The Digital India Corporation, under MeitY, has been working to fill leadership roles, including a Director for the IndiaAI Safety Institute. This institute is designed to serve as a hub for research, safety evaluations, and the development of technical standards, ensuring that AI systems deployed in India are secure and trustworthy. These steps reflect a growing recognition that the current regulatory landscape, which was largely established before the recent AI boom, requires updates to keep pace with global technological advancements.
Officials have indicated that the ministry will begin by consulting with various stakeholder groups to gather diverse perspectives before drafting the legislation. While the government is committed to this process, officials have not provided a specific timeline for when a draft bill might be introduced in Parliament. The focus remains on balancing the need for safety and public protection with the desire to foster innovation. As the process moves forward, the public and industry participants can expect increased engagement from the government to shape the future of AI governance in India.