Indian experts urge homegrown AI safety framework instead of copying US voluntary pact
Indian industry leaders say the country needs its own AI safety rules tailored to local languages and applications, rather than adopting the US voluntary agreement.
A group of Indian AI specialists contended that the country must develop a safety framework suited to its linguistic diversity and application-driven ecosystem, rather than simply mirroring the US White House Accord on Super Intelligence signed by Donald Trump and leading tech companies. Nasscom chairman Srikanth Velamakanni emphasized the need for a domestic commitment that feeds into global AI safety dialogue, while analysts like Soumen Mandal and Amit Khanna suggested a hybrid approach combining mandatory rules for defence, healthcare, banking and government use with voluntary standards for fast-moving technical areas.
Gnani.ai CEO Ganesh Gopalan warned that overly strict regulation could hinder competition, but all agreed that independent audits, transparency and accountability are essential. The Indian government is reportedly reviewing AI regulation, with IT Secretary S Krishnan and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicating a new legal framework may be forthcoming. The experts called for inclusion of all ecosystem players—companies, users, regulators, academia and civil society—to prevent harms such as deepfakes, cyber-attacks and systemic risks.
Why it matters
Tailored AI rules could protect India’s billions of users while fostering responsible innovation.
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