Indian information technology giants like Wipro, Genpact, and Tech Mahindra are taking proactive steps to incorporate ethical safeguards into their artificial intelligence (AI) products. These measures are being pursued independently, even as these companies remain open to collaborating with the industry to establish AI standards.
India currently lacks comprehensive regulatory frameworks for AI, making ethical safeguards critical for fostering trust in AI solutions.
Genpact, for example, has implemented an output robustness test to ensure that its AI-generated outputs adhere to fairness and legal standards. The company is also working with global partners to create an AI/ML (machine learning) governance body that includes ethics experts, data protection specialists, and privacy professionals.
Sreekanth Menon, Global AI/ML Practice Leader at Genpact, emphasized the importance of responsible AI in building trust with clients, partners, and employees. While AI offers numerous benefits, it also presents operational, legal, and reputation risks.
Wipro has adopted a “privacy and equity by design” approach, actively addressing potential bias not only during dataset preparation but also throughout the AI lifecycle. They are integrating AI controls into their existing governance framework.
Tech Mahindra employs tools to identify bias and ensure fairness through continuous AI performance monitoring. They emphasize the importance of stringent IT and data security protocols and review processes to maintain trust and confidence.
These companies express openness to industry collaboration for establishing AI standards, with the idea of “kitemarks” or similar tools to indicate due diligence. Such collaboration can help build trust in technology and AI.
However, some believe that government intervention is necessary to ensure ethical AI usage. Tech Mahindra’s Kunal Purohit suggests that the Indian government should implement AI-targeted policies to maximize the benefits of this technology. Misuse of AI could lead to criminal activities and social instability.
In July, seven IT companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, signed an agreement with the US administration to voluntarily adopt safeguards for AI, setting a precedent for other governments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have also highlighted the need for ethical AI usage and regulatory measures in India.
Companies are not only focusing on external measures but are also raising internal awareness about ethical challenges related to AI. They conduct training, workshops, and hackathons to empower employees to recognize biases and understand risks associated with AI.
