Science & TechPrelims + Mains
Europe’s AI rules may become India’s opportunity
The Government of India has been looking into separate legislation on Artificial Intelligence (AI). On the other hand, the EU’s AI Act, which came into effect from August 2024 and became applicable from August 2, 2026, is all set to shape the global AI value chain. The Act adopts a risk-based approach whereby certain AI systems have been prohibited, high-risk AI systems have been regulated, and lighter scrutiny has been provided for limited-risk uses. Though Indian companies understand that the Act will be applicable in every situation when the result of their AI system is produced in Europe, the more relevant story lies beyond the compliance aspect. This article discusses how the EU’s AI Act can create new possibilities for India’s tech and professional services sector. It focuses on the challenges in compliance created by the risk-based approach in the AI Act, especially for customised and adaptive IT services in India, while discussing possibilities in AI compliance, conformity assessment, and service exports.