In the contemporary digital era, the intersection of technology and governance presents a complex challenge for nations worldwide. The need to balance individual rights, innovation, and economic growth is a universal concern, but the approach and progress in these areas vary from one country to another. India, under the strong leadership of our visionary Prime Minister in comparison to global counterparts, is navigating these waters with a unique blend of policy initiatives and strategic focus areas. This progressive stance under the guidance of Honourable Shri Narendra Modi Ji aims to harness advancements in technology regulation, data protection laws, cybersecurity initiatives, and the usage and promotion of artificial intelligence (AI) for national benefit.
The regulation of AI is a delicate balance between national security and innovation. While the U.S. and EU are actively regulating AI, with the latter developing an AI Act for harmonized governance, and China aspires to be a global AI leader by 2030, India's AI ambitions are more modest but focused on societal good. The National Strategy for AI envisions India as a global AI leader in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education. Initiatives like AI4India and Atmanirbhar Bharat promote self-reliance in AI and tech development, leveraging AI for societal benefits, such as optimizing agriculture and improving education.
In 2023, India announced three Centres of Excellence in AI for agriculture, health, and sustainable cities, and in the current year budget our honourable finance minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, expanded to include education as well. The ₹500 crore budget allocation for the AI Centre of Excellence in education highlights the government's commitment to an AI-driven educational transformation. Additionally, while co-chairing the AI summit in Paris, our Prime Minister mentioned that he envisions AI as a transformative force for societal enhancement, advocating for global governance to manage AI risks and promote equitable access, especially in the Global South. India's contributions include building Digital Public Infrastructure and leading in AI adoption, with an invitation to host the next AI Summit in India, aiming for a responsible AI future.
Globally, ethical AI practices are under the spotlight, with stringent regulations in the U.S. and Europe ensuring transparency and accountability. India, while still in the nascent stages of formalizing similar frameworks, has made significant strides with its National Strategy for AI, emphasizing ethical deployment with a focus on inclusivity and fairness. Indian leaders in the Government are increasingly aware of the importance of ethical governance in AI, particularly as the nation invests in AI-driven sectors like healthcare and education. The groundwork is being laid for more robust regulations that could parallel global standards in the future.
Not only this, but data protection is at the forefront of global technology regulation a well. The EU's GDPR has set a benchmark, influencing nations worldwide. The U.S. is also moving towards federal regulations. India's response is the Personal Data Protection Act, designed to protect citizens' privacy in the digital age. India's approach is more flexible than the EU's and U.S.'s, potentially fostering innovation. This sets India apart and positions it as a future global tech hub as opposed to China which always has taken an approach of considering data as a national good and having a centralised control.
While making all the important developments in the area of AI, technology, and data, the cybersecurity remains a global priority, with nations like the U.S. and EU implementing measures to protect against cyber threats and India's National Cyber Security Strategy highlighting the need for a robust cybersecurity framework. The rapid growth of digital services, especially in fintech, has prompted the Indian government to recognize the need for even stronger cybersecurity measures and our cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, with initiatives like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) aiming to enhance protection and resilience.
To enable and operationalise all the efforts and bring up to the desired speed, the up-skilled talent is essential and foremost. Countries like the U.S. and the UK are heavily investing in AI skill development while India, with its large pool of young talent, is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Skill Development Corporation, and AICTE’s AI and Data Science curriculum underscore India’s commitment to equipping its workforce for an AI-driven economy. India's potential to scale talent development positions it as a future leader in tech outsourcing, further bolstered by the presence of global tech giants and AI startups.
In all, India's regulatory landscape for technology, data protection, cybersecurity, and AI is evolving, with the nation gradually emerging as a significant player. Initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and the National Strategy for AI are foundational to India's ambition to become a global tech powerhouse. The future is promising, where India must continue to balance innovation with ethical and secure practices to maintain its growth trajectory in the technology sector.
[Dhanashri Saurabh is the managing director of Swadeshri Advisory Services & Saurabh Madhavrao Deshmukh is the director at
Ministry of Communications, Govt. of India]
