Changes in India’s AI Governance Guidelines

India’s recently introduced AI (Artificial Intelligence) governance guidelines mark a significant shift in the country’s technology regulatory approach. Instead of enforcing strict laws immediately, the government has adopted an “innovation-first” policy, aiming to regulate AI systems through appropriate amendments to existing laws.

Rather than proposing a brand-new AI-specific law, the government has urged a comprehensive review of current legislations to identify gaps in AI regulation. Officials stated that these initiatives are part of the effort to encourage rapid technological innovation while maintaining proper oversight.

Revisions likely in — Information Technology Act, 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023.

Since AI systems can autonomously modify or generate data, they pose new challenges to the existing intermediary protection framework. There is currently a lack of regulatory clarity on who bears responsibility for AI-generated content, which remains a major concern.

In this context, the government is considering amendments to the existing laws to address such issues effectively. Additionally, it plans to establish a structured institutional framework to ensure continuous monitoring and accountability in AI governance.

Proposed institutions include the AI Governance Group (the primary body overseeing AI regulation) and the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) — responsible for identifying legal loopholes, suggesting amendments, and supervising implementation.