India currently lacks a robust, AI-specific regulatory framework, according to BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar. Speaking at an AI founders’ event, he pointed out that existing laws — such as the Information Technology Act of 2000, the Intermediary IT Rules of 2021, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 — were not designed for modern generative and autonomous AI systems, creating ambiguity and legal uncertainty. As a result, courts struggle to address AI-induced offences effectively because there is no clear regulatory or judicial guidance tailored to AI.
Kumar highlighted issues in intellectual property law, noting that India’s Copyright Act grants rights only to human authors, leaving unclear who owns content generated by AI tools — a growing dilemma as AI adoption increases. This ambiguity complicates innovation and compliance for founders and developers working with generative systems. He argued that India should focus on contextual, small language models (SLMs) tailored to national needs rather than trying to build frontier models like ChatGPT, while also improving legal clarity around AI use and ownership.
Despite the regulatory gaps, Kumar emphasized that AI presents promising opportunities across key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, disaster management, governance, and efforts to reach underserved populations. He cited examples of AI being used to improve real-time translation in Parliament and to identify athletic talent in tribal regions, demonstrating how AI can support inclusion and social impact when applied thoughtfully.
Experts and policy analysts echo concerns about India’s regulatory landscape, noting that the absence of a dedicated AI law and fragmented governance across multiple acts leave critical areas — including fairness, accountability, and transparency — insufficiently covered. While some governance proposals (like techno-legal frameworks) are emerging, many stakeholders argue that clearer, enforceable regulations are needed to manage AI risks without stifling innovation.
