Vaishnaw further stated that India will place strong emphasis on AI safety during the AI Impact Summit it will host in February 2026 and supports the creation of a common, consensus-based global governance framework for AI
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. File pic
The government will release an Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework by September 28 that will define safety boundaries to protect citizens from AI-related harm and outline checks and balances, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. He added that the framework would not be “prescriptive,” reported news agency PTI.
Vaishnaw further stated that India will place strong emphasis on AI safety during the AI Impact Summit it will host in February 2026 and supports the creation of a common, consensus-based global governance framework for AI.
When asked whether countries such as China, which did not participate in previous summits in the UK, South Korea, and France, would be invited to the AI Impact Summit, the Union Minister said the ministry is working with the Ministry of External Affairs to finalise the list of invitees.
The high-profile summit is expected to see participation from several nations and heads of state, with further details likely to be announced closer to the event, the minister said.
The AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 19-20 in India and it will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 2023 AI Safety Summit took place at Bletchley Park in the United Kingdom, while the 2024 AI Summit was held in Seoul. This year, the AI Action Summit took place in Paris.
“As we approach the AI Impact Summit, we would also like to present an AI Governance framework. I would like to thank the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government, Ajay Kumar Sood, for working extensively… over 3,000 consultations were held over a long period to develop the entire framework. We will be launching it in the coming days, hopefully before September 28,” Vaishnaw said.
He emphasised that over time, various aspects required for citizen safety could be converted into law, while other portions will remain under a framework.
India, he asserted, believes in striking a balance between innovation and regulation.
“The AI governance framework that will be released on September 28 will not be ‘prescriptive’,” the minister added.
Responding to a query about an AI-generated video depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother, Vaishnaw said synthetic content and deepfakes are emerging as a major societal challenge.
“In today's society, it is a big question… what kind of problems can arise from AI-generated synthetic content and deepfakes. The AI governance framework and the upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026 will focus heavily on AI safety and the safety of citizens and users,” he said.
According to PTI, Vaishnaw said that the framework is aimed at safeguarding citizens from AI harm.
“The boundaries in which AI safety-related items should be placed will be clearly defined… If harm comes to a person, how should we deal with it? As we develop AI applications and see faster adoption, how do we ensure proper checks and balances are in place… that kind of framework,” he explained.
He added, “As we have maintained all along, whatever is required for the safety of our citizens, we will convert those portions into law. Other portions will continue to be part of a framework on which we will work with the industry and stakeholders.”
(With PTI inputs)
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