TRAI Proposes AI Framework for Telecom Sector

On July 20, 2023, the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released several recommendations on “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in the Telecommunication Sector”.

Through a letter dated June 6, 2019, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) requested TRAI to prepare and share its recommendations on the provision of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 pertaining to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data. Subsequently, a consultation paper was made available to the public in August 2022. The recommendations have been finalised after holding due discussions and considering the stakeholder comments on the said paper.

Some of the major recommendations are as follows: –

• An Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India (AIDAI) has to be established to ensure the development of responsible AI and regulation of use cases in India.
• Certain changes have to be made in the existing legal framework through amendments to ensure that AI/ ML can be effectively used in curbing spam messages, phishing, etc. and so that TRAI may issue appropriate directions in this regard.
• Every State or Union Territory (UT) should have at least one Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoEAI). These Centres are expected to help startups, educational institutions, etc. develop technological facilities.
• A mandatory course on the ethical use of AI must be provided in all technical institutes through collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
• The Department should hold AI/ ML events such as challenge programmes and bounty programmes by using the ‘Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS). This is to enable startups and other organisations to demonstrate their ideas, collaborate with stakeholders and improvise their solutions or products.