India to issue AI regulation consultation paper within a month

India plans to publish a consultation paper on artificial-intelligence regulation within a month, Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said October 8, setting out priorities that include AI safety, deepfakes and keeping people at the center of policy. The announcement begins a consultation process; it does not establish that new AI regulations have been adopted. Vaishnaw said the paper would address the harms and benefits of AI, cybersecurity and safeguards against harmful uses such as deepfakes. He also identified skilling and inclusion as priorities, saying the approach should ensure that no one is left behind as the technology develops. The minister said deepfakes can mislead people and contribute to false narratives. He called for a combined technological and regulatory response, with industry taking primary responsibility for addressing AI-related risks and protecting users. The consultation is expected to bring stakeholders into discussion, though the announcement did not specify particular rules or regulatory options. Vaishnaw said regulations would be developed after the consultation paper.