Govt Recommends Setting Up AI Governance Board To Review & Authorise AI Apps

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has recommended setting up a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) governance board to review and authorise AI applications. 

The recommendation was part of the “Competency Framework for AI for Public Sector Officials”: launched by the IndiaAI Mission during the launch of AIKosha on March 6.

The framework also called for empowering the proposed board with powers to ensure all AI initiatives align with local and international “legal instruments” and ensure such projects address societal issues and ethical considerations. 

“Establish a dedicated AI governance board with the objective of reviewing and authorising AI applications… It could also play a crucial role in providing oversight and guidance throughout the AI lifecycle. The panel will provide nuanced recommendations, guiding projects to not only meet technical benchmarks but also effectively address societal issues and ethical considerations,” read the document. 

Additionally, the report also called for setting up an “AI Ethics Committee” to design and integrate standard AI practices into all stages of the project lifecycle. The ministry also called on public sector organisations to implement a strong framework for identifying, evaluating, and reducing risks in their AI systems. 

While pitching for implementing robust privacy and data protection protocols in AI systems, the framework also urged all government ministries to establish a special vertical to oversee collection, storage, processing, and sharing of data. 

The framework also underscored the need for the following:

• Prioritising public-private partnerships, international cooperation, and strong governance structures to spur innovation 
• Promoting partnerships between startups and big businesses to improve the usefulness of AI in public services
• Encouraging interdepartmental cooperation within government organisations to exchange knowledge, obstacles, and achievements in implementing AI 
• Ensuring that the process of procurement of AI solutions is transparent
• Creating comprehensive AI deployment playbooks
• Establishing comprehensive programmes for AI literacy and skills development 
• Engaging stakeholders through digital platforms and public forums to promote openness and foster public trust in AI initiatives
• Implementing a comprehensive approach, comprising continuous monitoring, and taking measures that enhance transparency and accountability

Overall, the competency framework outlines several key goals and objectives including providing a foundational understanding of AI, defining necessary competencies for public sector officials, enhancing awareness of emerging technologies and identifying integration opportunities for improved service delivery among others. 

Notably, the call to set up an AI governance board appears to be a redux of the Centre’s similar plans last year. In 2024, MeitY directed AI platforms to seek its permission before launching any AI product in the country but the plan was later shelved amid public outcry. 

This comes at a time when AI continues to see rapid adoption in the country. To leverage this and spur innovation in the sector, MeitY last week launched the IndiaAI Compute Portal, which will offer affordable AI compute services, a unified datasets platform AIKosha, and an accelerator programme for homegrown AI startups. 

The announcements were part of the larger INR 10,300 Cr IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024, which aims to make the country an AI hub through strategic partnerships between both public and private sectors.