Global AI Conclave | AI is the greatest invention of our time, but needs a global framework: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday, December 16, called artificial intelligence the "greatest invention of our time", while calling for a global framework that regulates AI without demonising it.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18 Managing Editor Shereen Bhan at the CNBC-TV18-Moneycontrol Global AI Conclave in Bengaluru, Chandrasekhar said, "I was at the Bletchley Park safety Summit organised by the government of the UK — countries have moved from the abstract of AI to a real granular focus on the safety of AI. And I said that we are making a mistake by correcting it so much, that you are now creating a narrative that is demonising AI," the minister said.

"We consider AI as fundamentally an empowering technology — It is the greatest invention of our times. It is the greatest empowering technology of our time. We believe that it can be used to do things in healthcare, disease, agriculture, and governance in ways that we would have taken years and decades to do," Chandrasekhar said.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar speaks at the CNBC-TV18-Moneycontrol Global AI Conclave in Bengaluru.

However, he did say there is a need for a regulatory framework for AI.

"What the world did not notice in 10 years of social media about safety and user harm and criminality, we should certainly wake up to it now and create not an American framework or a European Framework or an Indian framework, but a global framework," Chandrasekhar said, adding, "Our experiences with social media, the toxicity and the crime and the harms has shown us that, notwithstanding any country having great rules and laws and regulations."

Chandrasekhar emphasised the seismic shift in global perspectives post-ChatGPT, highlighting a notable transition toward a more nuanced and safety-centric approach.

"We must move away from light touch regulation — platforms have to be accountable under law to deliver safety. We need to move away from assuming that no guardrails and government intervention are required when it comes to technological innovation — the self-regulation train left the station many months or even years ago," Chandrasekhar said.

Chandrasekhar's view is consistent with calls to strike a delicate balance – to harness the power of AI for progress while safeguarding against potential pitfalls.