The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia and Ikigai Law as the implementing partner, organized a two-day stakeholder consultation on AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in India. 

A Strategic Collaboration

With sessions hosted at IIIT Bangalore and the Nasscom AI office, the event brought together government representatives, academics, industry leaders, startups, and civil society to deliberate on India's AI readiness. This initiative, the second in a series of five consultations, forms part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to develop an India-specific AI policy report to identify growth opportunities and address ethical challenges within India's burgeoning AI ecosystem.

The AI RAM framework is a diagnostic tool to evaluate a country’s AI infrastructure, regulatory capacity, and stakeholder engagement. It also provides actionable insights to foster a culture of safety, accountability, and inclusivity, key pillars for sustainable AI deployment.

Key Discussions: Ethics and Empowerment

Central to the consultation were discussions on UNESCO’s Global Recommendations on the Ethics of AI, emphasizing principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness. India’s commitment to these principles was evident in the presentations and discussions that underscored ethical AI as the foundation for empowering citizens and transforming sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.

Dr. Mariagrazia Squicciarini, Chief of the Executive Office, Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, emphasized that the RAM offers a comprehensive view of AI’s landscape, identifying opportunities and drawbacks. It ensures that AI’s transformative potential aligns with societal needs and ethical benchmarks.

Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, highlighted the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission, including compute capacity, data accessibility, skill-building, and startup support. He stressed India’s unique opportunity to pioneer responsible AI in the global south, leveraging its diverse talent pool and vast data resources to create innovative AI solutions for social good.

Highlighting Indigenous Innovation

A key feature of the consultation was Civic Data Labs' presentation of Parakh AI, an open-source framework for participatory algorithmic auditing. This project, shortlisted under the IndiaAI Mission’s Safe and Trusted AI Pillar, exemplifies how Indigenous frameworks can address global AI challenges while reflecting India’s socio-cultural realities.

India’s AI Roadmap

Breakout sessions facilitated in-depth discussions on governance, workforce development, and sectoral AI adoption. Stakeholders collaboratively identified gaps and charted a course to bridge them, ensuring India’s AI ecosystem remains inclusive, responsible, and innovative.

Conclusion

The Bangalore consultation is crucial in advancing India’s AI readiness and governance framework. India is positioning itself as a global leader in responsible AI by aligning with UNESCO’s ethical principles and leveraging MeitY’s robust policy initiatives. Future AI RAM consultations will continue to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, shaping a sustainable AI policy roadmap tailored to India’s unique ecosystem.

As India accelerates its AI journey, the commitment to ethical and inclusive practices will ensure that AI catalyzes societal progress, strengthening the nation's position as a thought leader in AI governance. This approach benefits India and serves as a model for the global south in crafting equitable, transparent, and trustworthy AI systems.