Government open to idea of ​​new law to regulate AI: IT Minister Vaishnaw in Parliament | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The government said on Wednesday it is “open to the idea” of introducing a new law to regulate artificial intelligence, but that will require “a lot of consensus”. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Parliament that ethical issues remain a concern when it comes to AI and need to be debated.
“Ethical issues in AI are a global concern, and India is committed to addressing these challenges through robust debate and responsible innovation. The tools developed under these projects will ensure that India remains at the forefront of ethical AI development,” he said.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw also said that the Modi government believes in ‘democratizing technology’, which was not the case during Congress rule, comments that sparked protests from opposition benches.
Responding to a supplementary question on whether the government plans to introduce a law on regulating AI and also regulate the responsibility of social media, Vaishnaw said that “fake stories are a major challenge” facing societies across the world. world faces today. Establishing social and legal responsibility requires significant consensus. “These are the issues where on the one hand comes freedom of speech and on the other comes responsibility and creating a real news network. These are matters that need to be debated and if the House agrees and there is consensus across society, we can come up with the new law.”
The minister also expressed concerns about privacy and AI managementsharing details of proactive measures taken by the government to develop indigenous tools and technologies. He said that within the AI ​​mission, application development is one of the key pillars, with a focus on innovations that suit India’s unique requirements. “To address the emerging landscape of AI, we have initiated eight projects aimed at creating tools and technologies in the country.”
The minister said the government is helping set up AI data labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He also informed the House that 8.6 lakh candidates have registered for the future skills platform.
The minister also highlighted India’s leadership in AI. “India is one of the leading countries in shaping global thinking on AI governance. Last year, India became chairman of Global partnership in AI (GPAI) and held the summit this year, and India’s voice continues to carry significant weight in discussions with international bodies, including the OECD and the United Nations,” he said.
The minister also addressed the issue of social media accountability. “It is a major challenge that societies around the world are facing: the responsibility of social media, especially in the context of fake news and the creation of fake stories,” Vaishnaw said.