- The AI Impact Summit in Delhi gathered tech leaders and experts amidst global contradictions on AI governance, balancing innovation promotion with controlling known and unknown risks.
- India proposed a “Third Way” for AI governance, distinct from the EU’s strict compliance model, the US’s light-touch approach, and China’s state-centric model, which are designed for different economic contexts.
- In November 2025, the Indian government released AI governance guidelines, focusing not only on risk mitigation but also encompassing application, proliferation, diplomacy, and capacity building.
- This framework prioritizes expanding AI for inclusive development in healthcare, agriculture, education, and public administration, while leveraging existing laws instead of enacting a separate AI act.
- On February 10, 2026, India amended Information Technology rules, requiring intermediaries to label AI-generated content and remove harmful content within 3 hours, marking the first time a government has mandated AI origin disclosure.
- However, large-scale enforcement against global tech giants and ensuring human rights will require international coordination.
- For Global South countries, the concentration of AI investment in a few Global North enterprises creates asymmetry in access and governance, increasing the risk of dependence on proprietary technology.
- India emphasized strategic autonomy, public-private partnerships, and shared research infrastructure such as safety assessment frameworks, collaborative research networks, and mechanisms for sharing risk expertise.
- Nevertheless, this model still has gaps regarding the protection of displaced workers, transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable groups.
- The next 12 months will determine whether India can balance innovation, security, and social welfare.
📌 India proposed a “Third Way” for AI governance, distinct from the EU’s strict compliance model, the US’s light-touch approach, and China’s state-centric model, which are designed for different economic contexts. India’s “Third Way” aims to build a flexible AI governance model, leveraging existing laws and promoting inclusive development in key sectors. New regulations such as labeling generative AI and removing content within 3 hours show bold steps. However, challenges regarding labor protection, transparency, and international coordination will determine in the next 12 months whether this model can become a standard for Global South nations.
