UNESCO and MeitY Collaborate on AI Readiness Evaluation in India

In a major effort to align India’s AI ecosystem with global ethical standards, UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ikigai Law, hosted a two-day consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) on January 16-17, 2025. The event, held at IIIT Bangalore and the NASSCOM AI office, aimed to develop an AI policy report tailored to India, identifying strengths and growth opportunities within the country’s AI sector.

Consultation Objectives
The primary aim of the consultation was to generate actionable insights for the responsible and ethical integration of AI across various sectors in India. Utilizing the AI RAM, a diagnostic tool to evaluate a country’s AI landscape—covering infrastructure, legislation, components, and stakeholders—the initiative sought to pinpoint areas where government engagement is needed, especially in AI regulation and institutional capacity building. The goal is to create a comprehensive AI ecosystem grounded in safety and trust.

Key Highlights

• Inclusive Stakeholder Participation: The consultation engaged a diverse range of participants from government, academia, industry, and civil society, discussing strategies to align India’s AI ecosystem with the ethical principles outlined in UNESCO’s Global Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, which emphasize transparency, inclusivity, and fairness.
• Emphasis on Startups: The second day of the consultation focused on startups, recognizing their essential role in driving AI innovation in India. This aligns with the broader goal of creating a conducive environment for AI innovation through responsible governance.
• Expert Insights: The event featured expert presentations, breakout sessions, and discussions offering actionable guidance on the ethical adoption of AI. Dr. Mariagrazia Squicciarini, Chief of the Executive Office for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, emphasized that the RAM provides a comprehensive overview of a nation’s AI landscape, ensuring that AI’s transformative potential is responsibly harnessed across all sectors.
   

Alignment with India’s AI Initiatives
This consultation supports India’s ambitious INDIAai Mission, which is backed by over ₹10,000 crore in funding. A key aspect of the mission is the Safe and Trusted AI pillar, which focuses on ensuring safety, accountability, and ethical practices in AI development and deployment. The mission also seeks to empower innovators and democratize AI benefits through indigenous frameworks, governance tools, and self-assessment guidelines.

Moving Forward
UNESCO and MeitY are committed to translating the principles of UNESCO’s Global Recommendation into actionable policies tailored to India’s unique AI ecosystem. The AI RAM sessions will continue across the country, promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance inclusive, responsible, and sustainable AI governance.