Overview
- The AI Impact Summit convened global leaders to deliberate innovation and governance pathways. However, the Global discourse reflects confusion over balancing innovation with emerging technological risks.
- The existing governance models reflect distinct political economies and developmental priorities. The EU emphasises compliance-heavy regulation, the U.S. favours market innovation, while China centralises control.
- In this scenario, India articulated a ‘Third Way’ governance model suited to Global South realities.
Steps Taken by India
- India released comprehensive AI Governance Guidelines in November 2025.
- The framework integrates regulation with adoption, diffusion, diplomacy, and institutional capacity-building.
- It prioritises inclusive AI deployment across healthcare, agriculture, education, and public administration.
- Amendments to IT Rules mandate labelling of AI-generated content.
- A three-hour takedown window was introduced for harmful AI-generated information.
Critical Gap
- Rapid AI adoption risks outpacing labour protection and workforce transition safeguards.
- Governance models inadequately address worker displacement consequences.
- Transparency and accountability norms for AI developers remain insufficiently institutionalised.
- Safeguards for whistleblowers and vulnerable populations remain underdeveloped.
- Public awareness and citizen agency frameworks remain weak within governance discourse.
Way Forward
- Develop collaborative research infrastructure among middle powers through shared safety evaluation and risk assessment frameworks.
- Strengthen public–private partnerships to ensure equitable diffusion of AI gains across developmental sectors.
- Establish minimum global transparency and accountability standards for AI developers and deploying corporations.
- Embed labour transition safeguards, reskilling systems, and worker protection frameworks within AI governance architecture.
- Promote international coordination mechanisms to regulate transnational platforms while safeguarding democratic freedoms.