India’s role in shaping global AI governance

Source: The post India’s role in shaping global AI governance has been created, based on the article “A discourse on AI governance that India must shape” published in “The Hindu” on 4th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Context: The article discusses India’s role in shaping global AI governance at the upcoming UN Summit of the Future. It highlights geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, and India’s opportunity to advocate for equitable AI access and representation for the Global South.

For detailed information on Regulation of AI read this article here

What is the Summit of the Future?

1. The Summit of the Future (September 2024) will gather world leaders to discuss the Global Digital Compact (GDC) under the United Nations.
2. The GDC aims to address the digital divide, advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and create an inclusive digital environment.
3. It also focuses on strengthening international governance for AI to align with human rights and values.

How is AI governance shaping geopolitical contestation?

The UN General Assembly adopted two AI-related resolutions led by the U.S. and China.

1. The U.S.-led resolution on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI for Sustainable Development” promotes a harmonized approach to AI governance, focusing on ethics, data protection, and transparency. It aims to assert U.S. dominance in AI development.
2. China’s resolution on “Enhancing Cooperation on Capacity Building of AI” emphasizes equitable AI development, bridging the digital divide, and creating an open business environment. China wants to become a key player in global AI standards.

How is India involved in these discussions?

1. Active Participation in Global Forums: India is actively engaged in global platforms like the UN, G-20, and Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), where it emphasizes equitable AI access and governance for developing countries.
2. Historical Legacy in Negotiations: India has a strong history of advocating for the Global South, such as its role in integrating the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) in climate negotiations.
3. Advocacy for Fair AI Governance: India has raised concerns about equitable access to AI resources, including data, infrastructure, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
4. Recent Achievements: India’s leadership in the G-20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration and GPAI emphasized fair AI benefits and risk mitigation.
5. Inclusive Global AI Governance: India is pushing for an AI governance model that includes marginalized voices from the Global South, focusing on fairness, human rights, and diverse global perspectives.

What should India advocate for at the Summit?

1. India should push for fair access to AI technology, support for building AI capacities in developing countries, and the creation of inclusive governance structures that consider the perspectives of the Global South.
2. This includes ensuring that AI governance respects human rights and is aligned with international standards to be truly inclusive and equitable.

What are the challenges in global AI governance?

1. The US and China are shaping the AI governance discourse, potentially sidelining the specific needs of the Global South.
2. There is a significant resource gap between developed and developing countries, which affects their ability to advance in AI.
3. India’s role is crucial in ensuring that new global policies consider these disparities and do not deepen existing inequalities.

Question for practice:

Examine how India’s advocacy for equitable AI governance at the Summit of the Future addresses the needs of the Global South in the context of geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.