Separate regulator will not be formed to monitor AI, claim- a separate institute will issue guidelines

Various media reports quote officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India as saying that the government is not considering the creation of a separate body so as to monitor artificial intelligence.

Instead, it is reported that the guidelines and framework on the use of artificial intelligence are on the anvil, which would be prepared by an AI security institute to be shortly set up. In this regard, a media report quoted government officials as saying that this institute, along with the existing practice of issuing voluntary guidelines to companies, will draft the framework for regulating AI. According to the report, officials said work is currently in progress on the setting up of the institute and most of its work will be related to the research field.

The official said the government is aware of the dangers accompanying AI, while its intention is to maintain a balance between regulation and innovation, according to a report by NDTV Profit. Based on recommendations given by a major committee on cyber security, security and legal and ethical issues, the government is taking this step.

This committee was one of the four committees the Ministry set up in 2018 to promote AI-related initiatives and devise a policy framework. The panel has noted in its recommendation that AI is an area which itself is so vast in nature, as such, instead of making just one regulator for its regulation, providing oversight through the existing sector-specific bodies would serve better.