06 JUN 2025, New Delhi
The 5th and final stakeholder consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) was held in New Delhi, hosted by UNESCO’s Regional Office for South Asia in partnership with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Ikigai Law served as the implementation partner for the event.
Held at the Shangri-La Eros Hotel on June 3rd, the event brought together over 200 experts from government, academia, and industry to discuss strategies for responsible and inclusive AI adoption in India. This session concluded a national series of consultations previously held in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and New Delhi.
Focus on Responsible AI for India
The AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) serves as a diagnostic tool to help countries evaluate their AI ecosystem across legal, educational, technological, and governance aspects. The aim is to guide nations like India in shaping AI policies that are safe, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.
This initiative aligns with the ambitious IndiaAI Mission, particularly its “Safe and Trusted AI” pillar. The mission promotes indigenous innovation, ethical frameworks, and open data platforms like AI Kosh to make AI accessible and secure for all.
Key Highlights from the Event
Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office, opened the event by emphasizing the need for an “ethics-by-design” approach in AI, urging developers to integrate transparency and trust into the core of AI systems.
In the keynote address, Mr. Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, outlined India’s balanced approach to AI. He discussed initiatives such as:
- Development of foundation models
- Launch of the AI Kosh data platform
- Promotion of Responsible AI projects
Thought Leaders Share Insights
A panel discussion on “Safety and Ethics in India’s AI Ecosystem” featured prominent voices, including:
- Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog
- Kavita Bhatia, COO, IndiaAI Mission
- Eunsong Kim, UNESCO
- Dr. B. Ravindran, IIT Madras
- Dr. Mayank Vatsa, IIT Jodhpur
They discussed AI regulation, governance, and the importance of collaboration among government, academia, and industry. Ms. Ghosh stressed the industry’s responsibility in creating safe AI, while Ms. Bhatia highlighted the Mission’s collective, innovation-driven approach.
Interactive Sessions and Youth Inclusion
Breakout sessions encouraged deep dives into AI governance, infrastructure, workforce readiness, and sector-specific AI applications. One session was dedicated to youth participation in AI development, underlining the need to involve the next generation in shaping India’s AI future.
About AI RAM
UNESCO’s RAM is a unique tool using both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess a country’s AI preparedness. It adapts to local needs and involves diverse stakeholders, from government bodies to civil society, to ensure that policies are inclusive and actionable.
Moving Forward
UNESCO and MeitY reaffirmed their commitment to implementing AI policies aligned with UNESCO’s global ethical recommendations, tailored for India’s ecosystem. These consultations mark a significant step toward building a responsible AI framework for India’s future.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
