Govt to issue AI law consultation paper in coming weeks: Vaishnaw

The government will begin consultations on a proposed law to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming weeks, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday, citing the need to address risks arising from the technology.

The government is drafting a consultation paper that will seek inputs from citizens, industry and other stakeholders before framing the legislation, he said.

“The time has come when the risks of AI have crossed a threshold where we should come up with a law and new regulations. Harms from the new technology can be regulated,” Vaishnaw said at an event on Friday.

He said AI was being adopted aggressively by industry and the government wanted to understand the concerns and experiences of users before moving ahead with regulation.

Vaishnaw also called for greater cooperation among leading global AI ecosystems on the technology's fundamental principles. He said some of the world's top three or four AI ecosystems need to work together on these issues.

Indian-branded mobile phones targeted by 2028

Vaishnaw said Indian mobile phone brands, designed and manufactured in the country, are expected to be ready by October 2028. The first chip manufactured in India is also expected to be ready by that year, he added.

“This is 23rd October 2026. Please note it: 23rd October 2028. You will have Indian design, Indian manufactured, Indian brand of mobile phones,” the minister said.

The government has introduced an incentive scheme to boost mobile phone production and encourage the development of locally designed and manufactured brands.

Vaishnaw said India's electronics manufacturing industry had expanded significantly over the past 12 years, with the country emerging as a major exporter. He attributed the growth to the development of a broader manufacturing ecosystem.

Semiconductor plants to become operational

The minister said 12 projects approved under the first phase of the India Semiconductor Mission would become operational soon. The sixth plant under the programme is also expected to be inaugurated shortly, he said.

Under the second phase, the government's objective is to establish India as a global semiconductor design hub.

Vaishnaw said around 20% of the world's design engineers are in India and that a talent pipeline built through more than 300 universities would support this ambition.

The government plans to use the next phase of the semiconductor mission to strengthen India's design capabilities and expand its role in the global semiconductor industry, he added.