India leading in drafting global standards for responsible, trustworthy AI: DoT official, ET Telecom

NEW DELHI: India is leading in drafting global standards for responsible and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI), with the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) having released a standard for assessing and rating fairness in AI systems, said Niraj Verma, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecommunications.

“He also informed that TEC is now framing another Standard for assessing and rating robustness of AI systems,” the Ministry of Communication said in an official statement.

Verma was addressing a session on ‘Harmonizing Global Collaborations in AI Industry: A Roundtable on the Future of AI Standardisation, Regulation and Industry Development’, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The telecom department official led a delegation at ITU Geneva, for the WSIS+20 (World Summit on the Information Society) Forum High-Level Event 2024 and ‘AI for Good’ Global Summit from May 27, 2024 to May 31, 2024.

“India took over the baton of hosting WTSA 2024 in New Delhi from 15-24 October 2024 during the AI for Good Global Summit at ITU Geneva and extended a warm invitation to the foreign delegates from across the globe to attend the upcoming WTSA in New Delhi,” the ministry said.

The Indian delegation highlighted the reforms undertaken by the country using AI in the telecom sector and to build a sustainable future in various sessions at the conference, as per the statement.

“The Indian delegation also brought to the attention of the International Forum that it is crucial to ensure these technologies are accessible and affordable for developing countries to bridge the sustainability gap,” the ministry said.

The delegation highlighted that while AI holds immense potential to revolutionise digital governance by enhancing efficiency, improving service delivery, and supporting informed decision-making, however, it is essential to address ethical, privacy, and inclusivity challenges to fully realise the benefits of AI in governance, according to the ministry’s statement.