The IT Minister said a draft framework for AI regulations will be presented shortly

The government said on Tuesday that it is drafting regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) and plans to release them by June or July of this year. The announcement came amid worries about the increase in deepfakes and potential damage to users of the new technology.

The government is working on a draft AI regulatory framework and will reveal it shortly, according to Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who made this announcement at a Nasscom event in New Delhi.

The minister said, “The goal is to harness AI for economic growth and address potential risks and harms.”

He went on, “We will fully realize AI’s potential, but we also need to put in place safeguards to prevent misuse.”

India’s AI industry is predicted to develop at a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach $17 billion by 2027, according to a Nasscom-BCG analysis that was released during the event. AI investments are also expected to rise at a similar pace.

The government reaffirmed earlier this week that social media intermediaries and internet companies in India are legally obligated to ensure that no deepfakes or false content appears on their platforms.

Chandrasekhar announced on X that the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) and Meta were working together to provide a fact-checking hotline specifically for WhatsApp users in the nation.

The minister wrote, “It’s good to use credible fact checkers to label misinformation.”

“It is legally required of all internet platforms and intermediaries in India to make sure that their users do not post any misinformation or deepfakes on their platforms,” he said.

The government said earlier this month that it is routinely checking to see whether intermediaries are adhering to the IT Rules, 2021 and the guidance provided in the most recent advice from the IT Ministry.