India to Release AI Governance Framework by September 28, Emphasising Safety and Global Cooperation

The government plans to unveil an Artificial Intelligence governance framework by 28 September. This framework will establish safety boundaries to protect citizens from AI-related harm. However, it will not be prescriptive, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He emphasised that India will prioritise AI safety at the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 and supports a global consensus-based governance framework for AI.

India's commitment to balancing innovation with regulation is evident in its approach to AI governance. The forthcoming framework aims to safeguard citizens by clearly defining safety boundaries. It will address potential harms from AI applications and ensure proper checks and balances as AI adoption increases. Over time, necessary safety measures may be converted into law.

AI Safety and Global Collaboration

Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of AI safety, especially concerning synthetic content and deepfakes. These are emerging challenges in today's society. The upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026 will focus significantly on citizen safety and user protection from such AI-generated content. The minister acknowledged the growing concerns about misuse of AI, including deepfakes involving public figures.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 19-20 February in India, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This high-profile event is expected to attract participation from numerous countries and heads of state. Details about the summit's invitees are being finalised in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Framework Development and International Engagement

The development of the AI governance framework involved extensive consultations, with over 3,000 discussions held over a long period. Vaishnaw expressed gratitude to Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government, for his significant contributions to this effort. The framework is set for launch before 28 September.

India is working towards inviting countries like China, which did not attend previous summits in the UK, South Korea, and France, to the AI Impact Summit. The ministry is coordinating with external affairs to finalise the list of invitees. The summit aims to foster international collaboration on AI governance.

Previous Summits and Future Directions

The 2023 AI Safety Summit was held at Bletchley Park in the UK, followed by the 2024 summit in Seoul, South Korea. In 2025, Paris hosted the AI Action Summit. These events have set the stage for India's upcoming summit, which will continue discussions on global AI governance frameworks.

Vaishnaw reiterated that while some aspects of the framework may eventually become law, others will remain as guidelines. This approach allows ongoing collaboration with industry stakeholders. The goal is to ensure a robust system that protects citizens while fostering technological advancement.

The government's efforts reflect a commitment to creating a safe environment for AI development and use. By establishing clear guidelines and promoting international cooperation, India aims to lead in responsible AI governance on a global scale.

With inputs from PTI