India’s telecom regulator has noted the need for human oversight, assurance and accountability as the integration of artificial intelligence into telecom networks deepens network transformation, improves network efficiency, and also identifies threats.
“AI creates opportunity but also requires assurance through the right governance approach,” Trai Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said on Monday, adding that proper governance of AI networks requires assessing them in terms of public interest, consumer welfare and regulatory preparedness.
“An important principle that should govern this transition is that automation should improve results without obscuring accountability. Human oversight, auditability and the ability to intervene when necessary remain important even as technology becomes more autonomous,” Lahoti added.
The sector regulator was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UK government and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the telecom industry body in India, to strengthen collaboration in the areas of artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, digital trust and responsible technology-led innovation.
“Governments have a responsibility to ensure innovation progresses alongside security, accountability and sustainability, and this becomes even more important when criminals use AI to commit fraud,” said Ben Mellor, Acting British High Commissioner to the Republic of India.
The Trai chief also highlighted the dual role that AI can play in the fight against online scams and scams, saying the technology can build trust by detecting anomalies and threats, but if used incorrectly, it can also make malicious acts more sophisticated.
“AI can build trust by improving anomaly and threat detection, but if used incorrectly, it can also make malicious activity more sophisticated,” he said, citing scams and fraud as prominent examples.
AI can help identify suspicious patterns in data sets, but automated risk classification systems need appropriate thresholds, safeguards, and verification mechanisms. It warned that incorrectly identifying a legitimate consumer, business or message as malicious could result in service failure, reputational consequences or denial of access.
“Fraudulent interactions can now pass through multiple layers of the digital ecosystem. It can start with communication, involve a digital platform or impersonation and end with a financial transaction,” he said.