The Indian government recently made an announcement regarding a new requirement for technology companies involved in artificial intelligence (AI) development. According to a report by Reuters, companies must now seek government approval before publicly releasing AI tools that are still in the development phase or are deemed “unreliable.” This move is part of India’s efforts to manage the deployment of AI technologies and ensure accuracy and reliability in the tools available to its citizens, especially as the country gears up for elections.
The Ministry of Information Technology issued a directive specifying that any AI-based applications, particularly those utilizing generative AI, must obtain explicit authorization from the government before being introduced to the Indian market. Additionally, these AI tools must come with warnings about their potential to provide incorrect responses to user inquiries. This emphasis on clarity and caution reflects the government’s commitment to overseeing AI technologies and aligns with global trends seeking to establish guidelines for responsible AI use.
The new regulation also addresses concerns regarding the impact of AI tools on the integrity of the electoral process in India. With the upcoming general elections, there is a particular focus on ensuring that AI technologies do not compromise electoral fairness. Recent criticisms of Google’s Gemini AI tool, which generated responses unfavorable to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have heightened concerns about the potential influence of AI on political processes. Google acknowledged the imperfections of its tool, especially in sensitive areas like current events and politics, labeling it as “unreliable.”
Deputy IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized that reliability issues with AI tools do not exempt platforms from legal responsibilities. He stressed the significance of adhering to legal obligations related to safety and trust. By requiring government approval for AI tool releases and emphasizing transparency about potential inaccuracies, India is moving towards establishing a regulated environment for AI development and implementation. These measures aim to strike a balance between technological advancement and societal ethics, safeguarding democratic processes and public interests in the digital age.