GPAI 2023: All member nations adopt New Delhi Resolution for collaborative development regulation of AI

In a significant development, all 29 member nations of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) unanimously embraced the New Delhi resolution. According to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, the resolution is geared towards fostering collaborative efforts among member countries in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). “The New Delhi declaration promises to position GPAI at the front and centre of shaping the future of AI in terms of both innovation and creating collaborative AI between partner nations to create applications in healthcare, agriculture and other areas,” Chandrasekhar said. Chandrasekhar emphasized the New Delhi declaration’s commitment to positioning GPAI as a central force in shaping the future of AI, emphasizing innovation and fostering collaborative AI initiatives across partner nations, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture. Highlighting the unanimous agreement among GPAI members, Chandrasekhar underscored the group’s role in leading global conversations on AI governance, prioritizing safety and trust in AI development. “GPAI, in keeping with values of our partner countries, will be an inclusive movement that will increasingly focus on including countries from the Global South and making available the benefits of AI, its platforms and solutions to all of the people,” he said. Looking ahead, Chandrasekhar stressed the urgency for like-minded countries to expedite the formulation of regulations. He expressed the need for definitive, granular regulations to be in place by the time GPAI countries convene in Korea next year. Chandrasekhar acknowledged the global impact of AI, stating that as the internet expands, it is crucial for all users to have access to safe and trusted AI, rather than being exposed to potential risks posed by bad actors. “It is impossible to exclude people or countries who are on the internet from the impact of AI. As the global internet expands and includes more users, it is better for all of us that they have access to safe and trusted AI rather than bad actors,” he said. In discussing the future, Chandrasekhar emphasized the responsibility of government-level societies like GPAI and other civil societies to define rules governing user interactions with AI. He asserted that India would play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of AI. While expressing optimism about like-minded countries agreeing on minimum standards for openness, safety, and transparency in AI, Chandrasekhar acknowledged the potential challenges posed by dissenting power blocs. However, he suggested that if a “vast majority” of countries could reach a consensus on minimum terms, it would facilitate dealing with nations that may disagree. The declaration signed by GPAI member nations on Wednesday also recognized the imperative to seize new opportunities and address risks associated with AI development and deployment. These concerns encompassed issues such as misinformation, disinformation, unemployment, lack of transparency, fairness, protection of intellectual property and personal data, as well as threats to human rights and democratic values. The declaration additionally underscored the importance of equitable access to resources for societies to fully benefit from and build competitive AI solutions. (With inputs from agencies)