Google, Microsoft, Infosys, IIM B and Indian AI startups form new major coalition for Responsible AI in India

The first major multi-stakeholder coalition in India focused on the responsible development and deployment of AI technology, the Coalition for Responsible Evolution of AI (CoRE-AI), was created this week.

The first major multi-stakeholder coalition in India focused on the responsible development and deployment of AI technology, the Coalition for Responsible Evolution of AI (CoRE-AI), was created this week, bringing together over 30 key stakeholders in the tech space with a focus on fostering innovation among Indian AI startups and ensuring industry, academia and startup’s approach to regulating AI are heard by the government.

The coalition is housed within The Dialogue tech think tank based in New Delhi and brings together key stakeholders in the AI space from Big Tech players like Google, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to IT giants like Infosys and highly regarded academic institutions like Ashoka University and IIM Bangalore as well as a number of leading AI startups like BharatGPT-creator CoRover.ai and AI music startup Beatoven.ai.

The coalition primarily aims to create public trust in AI through voluntary industry guidelines and standards for the technology, robust AI regulatory frameworks, public-private partnerships, addressing bias and fairness in AI algorithms, transparency in AI operations and upholding user privacy and data protection.

“Government welcomes support, and interventions from a wide range of players who can bring the relevant information to the table on this aspect,” said Mr. S. Krishnan, Secretary, of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

“And taking in all of these inputs, undoubtedly a robust framework will emerge where India will also be able to not just use AI for the benefit of its own people, but play a leadership role globally. I’m confident the CoRE-AI forum will contribute to this larger national goal,” Mr. Krishnan said in a video statement.

With a vision of making AI in India and making AI work for India, the central government’s Cabinet approved the IndiaAI mission in March with a budget outlay of ₹10,372 crore.

The CoRE AI coalition said in an interview and statement to The Hindu that it will focus on exploring a “principles-based approach” utilising risk assessments to provide flexibility in addressing AI’s diverse challenges and will develop guidelines and contribute to a “robust governance framework,” in order to help create a trustworthy and innovative AI ecosystem in India.