Neural Network: January Edition
A Monthly Newsletter on AI Policy and its Multistakeholder Regulation, from the AI Knowledge Consortium
AIKC Updates
AIKC Workshop on MeitY’s “AI Governance Guidelines Development Report”
AIKC kicked off 2025 with a workshop on January 22 to gather diverse stakeholder views on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) recently released ‘AI Governance Guidelines Development’ report, which aims to recommend a framework for AI governance in India. Participants ranged across civil society organisations, private sector companies, law firms and academia.
The discussion focussed on the unique regulatory context of AI technology, the generalisability of governance principles like transparency and accountability across AI systems and contexts, the completeness of legal-regulatory frameworks in India, and the suitability of recommendations in MeitY’s report. An outcome report will be available soon.
Welcoming Our New Members
We were also pleased to take this occasion to formally welcome DeepStrat and the Internet Freedom Foundation as the newest members of AIKC, joining us in our mission to guide Indian AI development based on our shared foundational values.
Recent Indian Developments in AI Policy
MeitY releases Report on AI Governance Guidelines Development
Recommendations for an India-Specific AI Regulatory Framework; Public Consultations Close on February 27
On 7 January, MeitY released a report on ‘AI Governance Guidelines Development’. The report is the outcome of the deliberations of a subcommittee established in November 2023 which was tasked to undertake a gap analysis of existing laws/regulations and offer recommendations on an India-specific regulatory framework on AI.
The report proposes a comprehensive AI governance framework for India, emphasising a lifecycle approach to manage risks at development, deployment, and diffusion stages, and advocating an ecosystem perspective to define roles and responsibilities across AI actors. It suggests a techno-legal strategy, blending technology with legal measures, and stresses a unified government effort to prevent disjointed regulations. Key recommendations include establishing an inter-ministerial committee and a technical secretariat within MeitY for inter-departmental cooperation, stakeholder mapping, and managing an AI incident database as a knowledge repository. Additionally, it advocates for an "activity-based regulation" and encourages a self-regulatory approach. MeitY has called for feedback on the report, to be submitted on or before February 27.
While we appreciate the fact that the report doesn’t take a rigid position and adopts activity-based regulation as a starting point, the Report could do with expansion and elaboration on key points. We will be responding to the consultation based on the stakeholder inputs gathered in our January 22 workshop.
Election Commission Issues an Advisory on Labelling of AI-Generated Content in Political Campaigns
New Advisory Stresses Transparency in the Use of Synthetic Media for Electioneering
The Election Commission of India (ECI) released an advisory on January 16 requiring political parties, candidates, and star campaigners to prominently label AI-generated or synthetically altered content and disclose use of synthetic content in promotional material. It builds on the Commission's earlier guidelines issued during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, where political parties were directed to refrain from using AI-generated distorted content, “deepfakes,” or any material that could disrupt a level playing field. The latest directive expands this mandate by emphasising the need for prominent labelling of AI-generated content to foster transparency and accountability.
The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections will be a testing ground for the efficacy of such guidelines.
UNESCO and MeitY Collaborate on Ethical AI readiness
Second AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) stakeholder consultation focuses on AI governance frameworks
On January 16 and 17, UNESCO, in partnership with the MeitY, conducted the second round of AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) stakeholder consultation. The consultations focused on assessing India’s preparedness for ethical AI deployment, utilising UNESCO’s AI RAM, a diagnostic tool crafted to identify institutional and regulatory gaps across diverse sectors.
Across a series of five consultations, UNESCO and MeitY are collaborating to develop an India-specific AI policy report. This report will detail the strengths and potential growth areas within India's AI ecosystem, offering targeted insights to propel the ethical and responsible adoption of AI technologies.
The discussions during the consultation emphasised aligning India's AI strategies with UNESCO’s global ethical principles. Additionally, there was a focus on assisting startups in their efforts to develop and deploy AI in an ethical, and responsible manner, aligning with the goals of the IndiaAI Mission.
Global AI Governance
Major U.S. Policy Shifts Impact AI Technology and Global Relations
Sweeping Changes in U.S. AI Policy: Export Controls, Rescinded Executive Order 14110, and Massive Private Investments Set to Influence Global Tech Dynamics
Export Controls on AI technology: In the final week of the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce released a new interim final export control to “regulate the global diffusion” of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. This includes stringent controls on critical tech like AI chips (e.g., NVIDIA H100), cloud services, and high-performing AI model weights. The regulation categorises countries into three groups:
Group 1: Allies with preferential access
Group 2: Neutral nations - like India - facing restrictions and requiring security clearances for significant exports
Group 3: Adversarial nations like China and Russia facing strict bans.
These measures, part of a series of export curbs since 2022, focus on maintaining U.S. technological dominance and limiting China’s access to advanced technology. The export controls are set for a 120-day comment period ending on May 15, with potential for revision or reversal by the Trump administration.
Launch of the $500 Billion Stargate Initiative: On January 21, President Donald Trump unveiled the Stargate Initiative at a White House event attended by top executives from Oracle, SoftBank, and OpenAI. This $500 billion initiative, led by SoftBank with OpenAI and Oracle, aims to build colossal data centers and other necessary infrastructure to advance U.S. AI capabilities. Described as the largest AI infrastructure project in history, Stargate marks a major push to keep the U.S. ahead in the global AI race, especially against competitors like China.
Rescission of Biden’s AI Executive Order: On January 23, President Trump revoked a host of Biden-era executive orders and actions, including Executive Order 14110 on on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (14110) issued on October 30, 2023 which had focused on the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of AI. The revocation is intended to eliminate what the Trump administration views as constraints that hinder American innovation and leadership in AI technologies, emphasising a shift towards a less regulated AI development landscape.
These policy changes -- coupled with technological upheavals such as the launch of DeepSeek - have sent shockwaves through the global tech sector. We will be covering the impact of these changes once the dust settles!
ASEAN Launches Updated Guide on AI Governance and Ethics
New Edition Examines Systemic Risks and Sets Framework for Responsible AI Development
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unveiled an updated version of its Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics at the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting on January 17, 2025. This new edition specifically addresses the governance and ethical considerations necessary for generative AI technologies. Building on previous concerns over deepfakes, intellectual property infringements, and embedded biases, the guide now also explores the long-term systemic risks associated with the development of advanced generative AI. The guidelines aim to serve as a foundation for member states, encouraging them to voluntarily integrate these recommendations into their national AI governance frameworks, promoting responsible and ethical AI usage across the region.
Work by AIKC Members:
A Survey of Indian AI Start-Ups in Agriculture: Opportunities, Challenges, and Recommendations for the Way Forward (Esya Centre): This report delves into the integration of AI technologies within India’s agricultural sector, highlighting how AI can enhance productivity, optimise resource use, and address climate challenges.
AI Governance Guidelines Analysis (IGPP): This episode from the Institute of Government and Public Policy's AI Special Series features a detailed examination of the newly released AI Governance Guidelines Development report by MeitY. The discussion evaluates the report’s key takeaways, assessing its strengths and identifying areas for improvement.
Final Thoughts
The performance and popularity of DeepSeek, China’s open-source AI model, supposedly developed at a fraction of the cost of incumbents like OpenAI, challenges the belief that cutting−edge AI requires massive budgets and top−tier hardware. The stock market has responded with a nosedive, reflecting perhaps the fear of over-investment in this sector.
For India, DeepSeek’s rise triggers some questions: Can the IndiaAI mission shift focus from costly infrastructure to innovative applications? How can India ensure its AI strategy remains relevant in this evolving landscape?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Email us at: Secretariat@aiknowledgeconsortium.com.