Bharti Airtel chief urges proactive AI safeguards ahead of any mishap

At the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026, Sunil Mittal, chair of Bharti Airtel, cautioned that waiting for an AI-related accident before acting would be foolish. He argued that while AI should not be stifled, safeguards are essential and must be considered now. Mittal announced that India is preparing a consultation paper to outline regulations and guardrails for AI deployment.

Citing incidents of rogue AI agents and worries expressed by leading global tech entrepreneurs, he emphasized the seriousness of the challenge. He also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on aviation, suggesting that AI, like air travel, should operate under an international framework regardless of its country of origin. Mittal concluded that one outlet pace of policy discussion is insufficient and called for faster, coordinated action.