On Thursday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a set of recommendations which is aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.

TRAI Releases Recommendations For AI Regulatory Body

TRAI has earlier recommended that there is an urgent need for adopting a regulatory framework for development of responsible AI, which is applicable across sectors and ensures that specific AI use cases are regulated on a risk-based framework.

In its 10-page recommendations on July 20, TRAI has proposed a creation of an independent statutory authority in the form of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India (AIDAI).

The AIDAI’s primary role would be to develop regulations and guidelines for the responsible use of AI across various sectors.

Risk-based Framework For AI Specific Use Cases

The regulator said, “Regulatory framework should ensure that specific AI use cases are regulated on a risk-based framework where high risk use cases that directly impact humans are regulated through legally binding obligations.”

As per the TRAI suggestion, classifying use cases based on the risks they pose in order to effectively regulate AI applications.

Further, the categorizing of AI systems according to their potential impact on society and individuals will enable targeted oversight and supervision.

The impact of AI was not limited to only the telecom sector and that it had potential to impact a wide range of sectors including healthcare, finance, transportation, education, agriculture and many others, Trai said.

Adding, it was important to take a holistic approach for examining the impact of AI across all sectors rather than focusing only on telecom.

Besides this, TRAI also recommended the formation of a multi-stakeholder body which is composed of government officials, industry representatives, legal experts, cyber experts, academia, and research institutes.

Moving ahead, this body will recommend the AIDAI in formulating policies and ensuring a balanced and inclusive regulatory approach.

In addition to this, the TRAI has also advised that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) be designated as the administrative ministry responsible for overseeing AI usage in the country.

This will further encourage the deployment of AI by telecommunication companies to combat the menace of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC).

Besides this, telcos can proactively detect and prevent spam, safeguarding the interests of their customers, by leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) technologies, according to TRAI.