Assessing AI Safety: IT Secretary Discusses Job Loss from GenAI and Innovation in India

The Ministry of Electronics and IT is developing a framework to evaluate the safety and trustworthiness of AI solutions. However, it aims to avoid immediate regulation to prevent stifling innovation, according to a senior official. At the CII's Global Economic Policy Forum, Secretary S Krishnan highlighted that most regulatory issues have been addressed, except for copyright and existential concerns.

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Krishnan explained that under the IndiaAI mission, the government differentiates between responsible AI, as defined by Western standards, and safe and trusted AI. The latter involves innovation with accountability, ensuring AI solutions are safe and reliable for everyone. "We don't want to start with regulation," Krishnan stated, noting that regulation could hinder innovation in this field.

AI Regulation and Job Impact

Krishnan emphasised the need for regulations concerning AI-related harms, such as misrepresentation and deepfakes. He assured that existing laws in India are sufficient to address these issues. Regarding job impacts, Krishnan noted that the effect of AI on employment in India is less severe compared to Western countries.

The ministry has considered job displacement separately by focusing on reskilling individuals for roles that may replace existing ones. Krishnan mentioned that concerns about job loss due to generative AI are not as pronounced in India as they are in the West, where office jobs are more prevalent.

Data Protection and Copyright Concerns

Concerns about personal data usage have been addressed through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, with rules expected soon. Krishnan also mentioned that copyright regulations will follow court orders. He added that regulating AI for existential threats is unnecessary at this stage.

The government's approach aims to balance innovation with safety, ensuring AI technologies develop responsibly without unnecessary regulatory burdens. This strategy seeks to foster a conducive environment for AI advancements while safeguarding public interests.