NEW DELHI: In preparation for the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit scheduled for next month, the office of the principal scientific adviser (PSA) to the central government has unveiled a significant white paper titled Strengthening AI Governance Through Techno-Legal Framework. This document outlines India's comprehensive approach to fostering a trusted, accountable, and innovation-aligned artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Key Focus on Safe and Trusted AI
Enabling safe and trusted AI across the entire AI lifecycle stands as one of the primary focus areas detailed in the paper. It emphasizes the necessity of a techno-legal AI governance framework designed to mitigate risks while preserving flexibility and encouraging innovation. The 40-page document highlights India's pro-innovation stance, integrating baseline legal safeguards, sector-specific regulations, technical controls, and robust institutional mechanisms.
PSA Ajay Kumar Sood's Insights
During the release of the white paper on January 23, PSA Ajay Kumar Sood articulated the importance of this initiative. "Developing a robust and responsive governance framework is not just a regulatory necessity but a prerequisite for sustaining the momentum of technological progress. The techno-legal approach offers a viable pathway by embedding legal, technical, and institutional safeguards into AI systems by design," he stated.
In his foreword, Sood noted that while AI possesses significant transformative potential, it is crucial to ensure that associated risks and harms do not undermine public trust or become barriers to innovation and adoption. The framework explores laws, rules, and regulatory mechanisms, suggesting practical ways to use AI securely without eroding public confidence.
India's Role in Global AI Governance
The white paper also signifies India's contribution to creating a safer global AI ecosystem. A key indicator of this commitment is India's hosting of the AI Impact Summit 2026, the first-ever global AI summit to be held in the Global South. As the host, India aims to shape a future-oriented agenda for impactful AI cooperation, marking a strategic shift from "action" to "Impact".
The upcoming summit seeks to ensure that AI serves as a catalyst for:
- Inclusive human development
- Environmental sustainability
- Equitable progress worldwide
It aims to bridge the Global AI Divide through concrete multilateral action, reinforcing India's leadership in this critical domain.
Series on Emerging Policy Priorities
This publication is the second in the White Paper series on Emerging Policy Priorities for India's AI Ecosystem, which aims to deepen understanding and foster informed discussions on critical AI policy issues. The first white paper, released in December 2025, focused on democratising access to AI infrastructure. It highlighted the need to treat AI infrastructure as a shared national resource and identified key enablers such as:
- Access to high-quality datasets
- Affordable computing resources
- Integration with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
According to a statement from the PSA's office, these initiatives collectively aim to build a resilient and inclusive AI framework that aligns with India's technological aspirations and global responsibilities.
