India has issued new guidelines for tech companies that develop and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) tools, requiring them to seek government approval before making them available to the public. The move comes after a controversy involving Google’s Gemini AI tool, which generated controversial responses to queries about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government said that the use of under-testing or unreliable AI tools could pose a threat to the integrity of the electoral process, the public interest, and the safety and trust of the platforms.
The issue came to light when Deputy IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted a screenshot of Google’s Gemini AI tool, which is an experimental platform that generates text based on user queries. The screenshot showed that the tool had responded to a query about Modi by saying that he had been accused by some of implementing policies characterised as “fascist”. Chandrasekhar criticised Google for allowing such a response, and said that the platform was “unreliable” and “under trial”.
Google responded by saying that the tool was not a finished product, and that it may not always be reliable, especially for current events and political topics. Google said that it had quickly worked to address the issue, and that it was sorry for any confusion or offence caused. Google also said that the tool was not intended to provide factual information, but rather to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of natural language generation.
Government issues new guidelines for AI tools
However, the government was not satisfied with Google’s apology, and said that the platform had violated the IT laws and regulations. The government said that the platform had failed to ensure the safety and trust of its users, and had allowed them to host, display, or share unlawful content. The government also said that the platform had not disclosed to the users that the tool was under trial or unreliable, and had not sought their consent before deploying it.
The government issued an advisory on March 1, asking all tech companies that develop and deploy AI tools to seek its explicit permission before making them available to the users on the Indian internet. The government also asked the companies to label the AI tools appropriately, indicating the possible and inherent fallibility or unreliability of the output generated. The government said that the use of under-testing or unreliable AI tools could pose a threat to the integrity of the electoral process, the public interest, and the safety and trust of the platforms.
The government also warned of criminal action in case of non-compliance with the advisory, and said that it would monitor and enforce the guidelines strictly. The government said that it was committed to ensuring the responsible and ethical use of AI in India, and that it would not tolerate any misuse or abuse of the technology.
Implications and reactions
The new guidelines are seen as a part of the government’s efforts to regulate the tech sector, which has been facing increasing scrutiny and pressure from the authorities. The government has been tightening the rules for social media platforms, e-commerce companies, and digital payment services, and has asked them to comply with various norms and standards, such as data protection, content moderation, and tax compliance.
The tech industry has expressed concerns over the new guidelines, and said that they could hamper the innovation and growth of the AI sector in India. The industry said that the guidelines were vague and ambiguous, and that they could create uncertainty and confusion for the developers and users of AI tools. The industry also said that the guidelines could restrict the freedom and creativity of the AI researchers and practitioners, and that they could affect the competitiveness and quality of the AI products and services.
The industry urged the government to consult and collaborate with the stakeholders, and to adopt a balanced and pragmatic approach to regulate the AI sector in India. The industry said that the government should recognise the potential and benefits of AI for the socio-economic development of the country, and that it should support and encourage the research and innovation in the field.
