In a significant move towards fostering ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) development, UNESCO, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched a stakeholder consultation series. This initiative is designed to align India’s AI ecosystem with UNESCO's global framework for ethical AI, which emphasizes principles such as transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness.  

Organized by UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office in partnership with MeitY and facilitated by Ikigai Law, the inaugural consultation brought together diverse stakeholders from government bodies, academia, industry, and civil society. Discussions centered on identifying strategies to ensure that AI development in India adheres to global ethical standards while addressing local challenges and opportunities.  

A central element of the initiative is the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (AI RAM), a diagnostic tool developed by UNESCO and MeitY. AI RAM aims to assess India’s AI readiness, identify areas for improvement, and explore opportunities for responsible and ethical AI deployment. The consultations are expected to deliver actionable insights, strengthen institutional capacities, and help build a robust AI regulatory framework for the country.  

India, recognized as a global leader in AI innovation, has rapidly advanced its technological capabilities in recent years. However, ensuring ethical governance of AI is considered vital for building trust and fostering equitable growth. The consultations under this initiative will culminate in a comprehensive policy report that outlines the opportunities, strengths, and regulatory needs of India’s AI ecosystem.  

The policy aims to establish India as a global leader in ethical AI practices while ensuring the deployment of AI technologies aligns with the vision of ‘AI for All.’ By focusing on safety, fairness, and inclusivity, the initiative aspires to create an AI ecosystem that benefits every sector of society.