India is set to take another step towards regulating artificial intelligence, with the government planning to release a regulation-focused consultation paper within a month. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposed paper will seek views on how AI should be governed, with safety, deepfakes, user harm, a human-first approach and skilling among its key areas of focus.

Vaishnaw said AI safety would be at the centre of the proposed regulatory framework. “The time has come for AI regulations,” he said, adding that the consultation paper would form the basis for regulations that follow. “I’ll request the department to come out with a regulation-focused consultation paper, which focuses on safety. That’s the most important point: safety related to AI use,” the minister said.

Deepfakes are expected to be another major concern addressed by the consultation. Vaishnaw described AI-generated images, videos and audio that can be mistaken for real content as a serious social problem. He said deepfakes can lead people to believe false information, create misleading narratives and potentially encourage harmful actions. The proposed consultation will also examine AI-related harms, including psychological impact, cybersecurity concerns and user safety.

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The government is considering what Vaishnaw described as a “techno-legal solution” to AI regulation, combining technological safeguards with regulatory measures. Rather than relying only on legislation, the approach is expected to involve the technology industry and other stakeholders in addressing emerging risks. Vaishnaw said the industry would have to take primary responsibility for issues including cybersecurity, safety, user harm, psychological disorders and deepfakes.

The consultation paper will also address the impact of AI on people and the need for skilling as the technology changes workplaces and industries. Vaishnaw stressed that a human-centred approach should remain central to the transformation driven by artificial intelligence. “Humanity has to be the most important part of change that has happened,” he said, underlining the government’s focus on ensuring that people are not left behind as AI adoption expands.

The government plans to use responses and feedback from stakeholders during the consultation to shape a broader regulatory framework for artificial intelligence in India. The release of the paper within the next month will therefore mark an important step in the country’s move towards formal AI regulation, with safety and the prevention of harm expected to remain key priorities.

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