Unesco, MeitY Collaborate On Ethical AI Policy For India

UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), initiated a stakeholder consultation on the safety and ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The event marks the introduction of a series of consultations aimed at shaping an India-specific AI policy that upholds the vision of ‘AI for All,’ according to an official release.

The consultation, organised by UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office in collaboration with MeitY and Ikigai Law as the implementing partner, brought together representatives from government, academia, industry and civil society. Discussions focused on strategies to align India’s AI ecosystem with UNESCO's global recommendations on ethical AI. The framework emphasises transparency, inclusiveness and fairness in AI governance.

The initiative is part of the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (AI RAM), a diagnostic tool developed by UNESCO and MeitY to identify opportunities for ethical and responsible AI adoption. The consultations aim to provide actionable insights that foster institutional capacity-building and strengthen India’s AI regulatory framework.

According to the release, the final AI policy will identify growth opportunities and existing strengths in India’s AI ecosystem, ensuring the technology's deployment aligns with global ethical standards. The consultations are expected to produce a comprehensive policy report addressing the safety, fairness and inclusivity of AI applications across sectors.

India has emerged as a global AI leader with its rapid advancements in technology and innovation. The ethical alignment of its AI governance is seen as critical to building a trusted AI ecosystem. As part of this collaborative effort, the AI RAM initiative seeks to prepare India for global leadership in ethical AI practices, promoting an inclusive vision of AI for all.