TRAI chief urges safeguards and human oversight as AI expands in telecom

At a conference organised by the Cellular Operators Association of India, TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti outlined how artificial intelligence is already helping telecom operators streamline forecasting, allocate resources efficiently and quickly identify network problems. He cautioned that as AI becomes more embedded, operators must conduct risk assessments, maintain detailed logs of automated decisions and ensure high-impact systems retain human control.

Lahoti stressed that safeguards, auditability and the capacity to intervene are essential to prevent single points of failure and protect consumer trust. He noted AI's dual role in fraud detection—enhancing anomaly detection while also enabling more sophisticated scams if misused—and urged stronger coordination among telecom firms, digital platforms, banks and law-enforcement agencies. Finally, he advocated for a flexible regulatory approach that focuses on outcomes, security and consumer redress while avoiding technology-specific lock-ins.