Creating an overarching ethics framework for the design, development and deployment of AI in India, along with enforcement mechanisms to move from principles to practice

The challenge

As artificial intelligence adoption has increased, inherent risks of relying on AI have emerged across a number of areas. AI‑powered solutions can sometimes be discriminatory, are unable to explain the decisions made by their algorithms, and potentially pose a risk to individual privacy given their heavy reliance on data. Issues related to AI development, such as “explainability”, transparency and accountability remain ongoing, raising questions about ethics, privacy and security. Using AI with malicious intent – for example, creating “deepfakes” or autonomous weapons – can have serious repercussions on society. It is also likely that the strong position of those countries that enjoy the advantage of being able to freely collect and distribute data will be consolidated in an increasingly automated and digitized world.​

The opportunity

Globally, a number of principles for the creation of ethical AI solutions have emerged in both the public and private sector. India’s National Strategy for AI emphasizes that AI‑related risks must be mitigated through effective policy, along with the creation of standards and awareness among relevant stakeholders. India can benefit from a set of specific, effective guidelines for the public and private sectors to promote the creation of responsible AI for India. ​

Impact

The Indian government’s policy think tank NITI Aayog and the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution partnered to co‑design an ethics framework to ensure the responsible use of AI. ​Together, the organizations have​ co‑designed principles of AI ethics​ and jointly drafted self‑assessment guides for the public and private sectors.

This project culminated in two publications:​

Responsible AI #AIFORALL: Approach Document for India

Part 1 – Principles for Responsible AI ​

Part 2 – Operationalizing Principles for Responsible AI​

Contact

For more information on this project, contact Arunima Sarkar, Project Lead, at arunima.sarkar@weforum.org

Part 1: Principles for Responsible AI

Part 2: Operationalizing Principles for Responsible AI