Charter
Preamble
India has been at the forefront of a technological change in information technology, witnessing waves of transformation that have reshaped the fabric of society. The advent of the internet characterised this era, challenging our governance frameworks and stretching them to their limits. Today, we stand on the brink of a new frontier with Artificial Intelligence (AI), a force so potent and pervasive that it defies traditional governance structures, demanding a new paradigm of societal oversight.
Primordial AI is everywhere. It is a staple in a myriad of sophisticated digital platforms and devices, subtly influencing our lives in ways we are only beginning to understand. AI’s omnipresence raises profound questions about the future of our markets, of our employment landscape, and the principles of justice that underpin our societal compact.
It is in this context, that we are uniting to form the AI Knowledge Consortium (AIKC). Our premise is clear: AI is not a monolith, but a complex mosaic of technologies and our interactions with it. And to govern its use, we must simultaneously atomise AI and our response to it. That is, we must deconstruct the technology and demystify its value chain for a whole-of-society response.
We think of AI as the harbinger of a new industrial epoch, one that necessitates a re-examination of our foundational principles to foster advancement. Our commitment is therefore to forge a distinctly Indian perspective on AI, an ethos that harmonises the global with the local, embracing the richness of our social sciences and engineering heritage.
We also recognise that more advanced AI is on its way. It will permeate all available digital real estate, and work with all willing and ready minds. Determinism will meet Darwinism. We must together discover what it will take for a young India to harness AI, and to use it as a tool to unite rather than divide, to uplift rather than deny.
In this spirit, the AIKC is dedicated to fostering a multi-stakeholder collaboration that spans civil society organizations, think tanks, academia, the private sector, and government bodies. Through such synergies, we can forge a governance framework that is anticipatory, inclusive, and capable of harnessing AI’s potential, ensuring that our collective approach to AI is as dynamic and multifaceted as the technology itself.
Mission
Our mission is to elevate AI governance in India, ensuring that the technological revolution trigged by it is inclusive, equitable, and reflective of our shared values and aspirations. We collaborate to navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI, towards shaping a resilient future, one which is just, and abundant with possibilities for all.
Foundational Pillars
We are guided by four pillars that embody our collective aspirations and principles. These serve as the bedrock of our collaboration, weaving together our diverse membership and expertise. Together, these pillars frame our collective endeavour, ensuring that our approach is reflective, responsive, and resonant with our values.
Pillar 1: Community Empowerment
We commit to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of stakeholders from varied sectors, united in their pursuit of shaping the future of AI governance. By fostering a culture of open dialogue and mutual learning, we aim to transcend domain-related boundaries and cultivate an integrated community that thrives on shared values and collective wisdom. This pillar helps set the stage for a collaborative journey that potentially enmeshes diverse perspectives into a cohesive vision for AI governance.
Pillar 2: Knowledge Stewardship and Research
We will provide knowledge stewardship, via spearheading empirical research and fostering exchanges on AI’s technological, legal, economic, and standards-linked dimensions. As curators, we will ensure that the AIKC not only disseminates relevant knowledge but also synthesises it to guide informed decision-making and policymaking. Our role extends beyond knowledge sharing; we aim to foster action within relevant communities.
Pillar 3: Capacity Building
We are dedicated to ensuring ethical and responsible innovation is embedded at the core of AI governance. Through strategic collaborations with government, private sector, and civil society, we will build capacities that prioritise such considerations across AI value chains. Our efforts are aimed ensuring that responsibility is not an afterthought but a guiding principle.
Pillar 4: Inclusive Dialogue and Outreach
In our pursuit of a more inclusive AI future, we will continually endeavour to engage diverse voices from across society and across the world. By acting as a conduit between diverse local and global communities, we seek to ensure that India’s unique perspectives contribute to and draw from international best-practices.