Will Regulate AI To Ensure It Doesn't Harm Digital Citizens: Union Minister

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said that the government will regulate Artificial Intelligence to ensure that it doesn't harm digital citizens.

The union minister's comments assume significance as ChatGPT creator OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, has acknowledged the need to regulate AI technology, and proposed a new international authority for regulating artificial intelligence (AI).

The first draft of the much-awaited digital India bill, that will replace the existing information technology act is set to be released for public consultation by the end of June.

Reportedly, the new bill proposes ways to deal with things that could harm users such as revenge porn, cyber flashing, defamation, cyberbullying and doxxing. It also suggests age-gating addictive technologies and protect data of minors on social media and gaming applications.

Addressing a press conference, Rajeev Chandrashekhar said "India has taken a major stride in the digital and technology sector in the last 9 years. The country has become the world's largest country in digital transactions."

"Under PM Modi's leadership, India is becoming a global trusted partner for manufacturing. In the manufacturing sector, we are seeing the emergence of world-class factories, huge investments, and the creation of a big number of jobs," he said.

Stepping up his attack on Congress, the union minister said, "Chidambaram, former Finance Minister had mocked DBT in the Rajya Sabha. But today, the people of India know the change PM Modi has brought to their lives with the use of technology."

"In 2014, PM Modi's first objective was to stop corruption leakage in public spending using technology and DBT (direct bank transfer). Rs 29 lakh crore has been transferred through DBT under different government schemes, he said.

"We are among the biggest consumers of mobile internet and data and have the lowest prices compared to anywhere in the world. This has happened in the last nine years," he added.