India’s AI landscape is on the cusp of substantial growth, poised to make a significant contribution to the GDP by 2025. In a landmark collaboration, UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of the Government of India, recently organized a National Stakeholder Workshop on Safe, Trusted, and Ethical AI at the prestigious Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.
The workshop came at a crucial time following the Government of India’s approval of the IndiaAI Mission, which has allocated over Rs 10,000 crore to fortify the country’s AI ecosystem. With a focus on integrating safe, trusted, and ethical AI considerations into national and state-level strategies, the event aimed to ensure alignment with public welfare and international standards.
Key stakeholders from various Central Line Ministries, State Governments, NITI Aayog, and industry partners like NASSCOM actively participated in panel discussions and breakout sessions. The discussions revolved around the ethical implications and societal impact of AI technologies, emphasizing the importance of ethical implementation.
Eminent dignitaries, including Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY, graced the event. Prof Ajay Kumar Sood praised India’s balanced approach to AI and commended UNESCO’s efforts in promoting AI ethics, while Shri Abhishek Singh highlighted the importance of building safe and trusted AI frameworks to spur innovation.
UNESCO Representative to India, Mr. Tim Curtis, reiterated UNESCO’s commitment to aiding India in integrating ethical considerations into AI strategies, aligned with international norms outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The panel discussion, featuring industry leaders like Ms. Debjani Ghosh, President of NASSCOM, stressed the need for ethical standards in AI development to ensure equity and inclusion.
The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by all 193 UNESCO Member States, serves as a guiding framework for ethical AI deployment. Through collaboration with MeitY, UNESCO aims to translate these core values into actionable policy measures across sectors like data governance, education, and health, promoting responsible and sustainable AI adoption in India.
