The mission, supported by over ₹10,000 crore in funding, prioritizes Safe and Trusted AI, ensuring accountability and democratizing AI benefits across critical sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
In a significant step toward building a responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem, the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and Ikigai Law, organized a two-day stakeholder consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). Held at IIIT Bangalore and the Nasscom AI office on January 16th and 17th, this event marked the second consultation in a series under the AI RAM initiative.
The consultation’s objective was to align India’s burgeoning AI ecosystem with UNESCO’s Global Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, focusing on transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness—key principles that ensure AI development and deployment benefit society while safeguarding rights and values.
A Comprehensive AI Policy Framework
The AI RAM initiative seeks to craft an India-specific AI policy report that identifies the country’s strengths, gaps, and growth opportunities. This diagnostic tool aims to build regulatory and institutional capacities, fostering a governance framework for safe, ethical, and accountable AI practices.
As India rapidly advances in AI development through initiatives like the INDIAai Mission, aligning these advancements with ethical guidelines becomes paramount. The mission, supported by over ₹10,000 crore in funding, prioritizes Safe and Trusted AI, ensuring accountability and democratizing AI benefits across critical sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Stakeholder Engagement: A Two-Day Overview
Day 1: Broad Stakeholder Engagement
The first day of the consultation brought together stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society. Discussions revolved around strategies to integrate UNESCO’s ethical AI principles into India’s AI ecosystem. Emphasis was placed on:
- Transparency: Ensuring AI systems operate in a clear, explainable, and accountable manner.
- Inclusiveness: Incorporating diverse perspectives to minimize bias and inequity.
- Fairness: Promoting equitable outcomes and safeguarding against discrimination in AI systems.
Day 2: Focus on Startups
The second day centered on startups, a crucial driver of AI innovation in India. The session highlighted the INDIAai Mission’s emphasis on indigenous frameworks, governance tools, and self-assessment guidelines to empower innovators while adhering to ethical standards.
Key Takeaways from the Consultation
- Expert Insights: Dr. Mariagrazia Squicciarini from UNESCO stressed the importance of engaging diverse voices in shaping an AI landscape that maximizes benefits while addressing risks.
- Policy Leadership: Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, outlined the government’s vision for responsible AI governance. Highlighting India’s leadership potential, he called for leveraging AI for social good, particularly in the Global South.
- Project Presentation: Civic Data Labs showcased Parakh AI, an open-source framework for participatory algorithmic auditing, exemplifying how indigenous innovation aligns with ethical AI practices.
The Path Ahead: Building India’s AI Roadmap
Breakout sessions during the consultation facilitated in-depth discussions on governance, workforce development, infrastructure, and sectoral AI adoption. These dialogues are shaping a robust AI policy roadmap tailored to India’s unique needs. Key goals include:
- Bridging Gaps: Addressing infrastructural and skill-related disparities to democratize AI access.
- Fostering Collaboration: Strengthening ties between academia, industry, and government for holistic AI governance.
- Promoting Ethical AI: Embedding fairness, inclusiveness, and transparency into AI projects to ensure societal well-being.
India as a Global AI Leader
India’s collaboration with UNESCO underscores its commitment to ethical AI development. By prioritizing social good, India can set a global example of deploying AI responsibly in critical sectors. Initiatives like the INDIAai Mission and international partnerships aim to position India as a leader in ethical AI, benefiting not only its citizens but also the Global South.
The AI RAM consultation is a pivotal step in aligning India’s AI ecosystem with UNESCO’s ethical guidelines. Through transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness, India is poised to harness AI’s transformative potential responsibly, ensuring safety, accountability, and societal progress in an increasingly AI-driven world.
