Ashwini Vaishnaw told a crowd at the World Development Report launch that the government will unveil a consultation paper on AI regulation next month. The document will map out safety protocols, address harms arising from AI use, tackle deepfakes, and embed a human‑first philosophy while outlining skilling pathways.
Vaishnaw added that AI safety would be the core focus, warning that deepfakes are a growing nuisance that can mislead society and set dangerous precedents.
The paper will also tackle cybersecurity, user harm, and psychological disorders, and will mandate that industry leaders bear the primary responsibility for mitigating these risks.
This initiative follows the government's recent tightening of the IT Rules, which shorten the removal window for unlawful content from 36 hours to 3 hours after a notice, and require large platforms to deploy automated detection tools for content such as nudity, impersonation, and deepfakes.
If platforms fail to comply, they risk losing the safe‑harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.
After the consultation paper is released, lawmakers will draft a comprehensive regulatory framework and the government will seek input from all stakeholders, including technologists, civil society, and the private sector.
For people on the ground, the changes could be felt immediately: Nidhi Sharma, a 34‑year‑old software engineer in Bengaluru, said she worries that a deepfake could damage her reputation and career.