AI safety summit

Recently, the US President Joe Biden has issued an order to set rules for artificial intelligence (AI). This move follows the UK Prime Minister's AI Safety Summit, showing a global effort to regulate AI.

• USA has signed an order using the Defense Production Act, usually reserved for emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic, to regulate AI companies.
• This requires them to inform the government about technologies affecting national security and share safety test results.
• The order also calls for Congress to pass privacy legislation and provides guidelines to prevent AI from causing discrimination.
• It encourages AI use in education, although specific details are not provided.
• The administration aims to build a strong international framework for AI, consulting with countries like India, the EU, the UK, Japan, and more, aligning with global efforts in AI regulation.

India’s effort for AI regulation:

• With the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a global framework on the expansion of “ethical” artificial intelligence (AI) tools aims at taking a leadership position on the evolving debate over the need for convergence amongst all countries on regulating sectors such as AI and cryptocurrencies.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in July, which said that the Centre should set up a domestic statutory authority to regulate AI in India through the lens of a “risk-based framework”, while also calling for collaborations with international agencies and governments of other countries for forming a global agency for the “responsible use” of AI.

Present Regulations for AI in India:

• Information Technology Act, 2000: The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) serves as the fundamental legislation governing electronic transactions and digital governance.
  • Although it does not explicitly mention AI, specific provisions within the Act are applicable to AI-related activities.
  • Section 43A of the IT Act enables compensation in case of a breach of data privacy resulting from negligent handling of sensitive personal information.
  • This provision is particularly relevant in the context of AI systems that process user data. Another provision is Section 73A of this act.
• National e-Governance Plan: The National e-Governance Plan aims to digitally empower Indian society by providing online government services.
  • AI plays a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of e-governance. Various government departments have integrated AI systems to automate processes, improve decision-making, and enhance citizen services.
• AIRAWAT: Recently, NITI Aayog (planning commission of India) also launched AIRAWAT, which stands for AI Research, Analytics, and Knowledge Assimilation platform.
  • It considers all the necessary requirements of AI in India.