Recently, the Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Bharti Pardhi, to establish an Ethics and Accountability Framework for the use of Artificial Intelligence technologies in decision-making surveillance, and ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Need for the Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill, 2025:
The rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence technologies presents immense opportunities for social advancement but also poses significant ethical and regulatory challenges. These challenges encompass the risks of algorithmic bias, misuse of surveillance capabilities, and a lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making systems.
Addressing Key Challenges:
The proposed bill aims to tackle several crucial challenges:
-
Establishing a comprehensive framework for ethical AI deployments.
-
Ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI systems.
-
Protecting individuals and communities from harm caused by unethical or biased AI applications.
-
Promoting innovation and trust in AI technologies through clear regulatory guidelines.
Core Aspects of the Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill, 2025:
-
Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) is defined as computer systems and applications capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, including but not limited to decision-making, language processing, and visual perception.
-
The Bill proposes the establishment of an Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence, whose responsibilities will include:
-
Developing and recommending ethical guidelines for AI technologies.
-
Monitoring compliance with established ethical standards in AI systems.
-
Reviewing cases of misuse, bias, or violations of standards.
-
Promoting awareness and capacity building among stakeholders.
-
-
The Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence will comprise:
-
A Chairperson with expertise in ethics and technology.
-
A designated number of experts in law, data science, and human rights, appointed by the Central Government.
-
Representatives from academia, industry, civil society, and the government.
-
-
Restrictions on Surveillance and Decision-Making:
-
The use of AI for surveillance will be limited to lawful purposes, requiring prior approval from the Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence.
-
AI systems involved in critical decision-making—including law enforcement, financial credit, and employment—will:
-
Not solely rely on sensitive attributes such as race, religion, or gender.
-
Be subjected to rigorous ethical reviews by the Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence.
-
-
-
Developer Responsibilities:
-
Ensure transparency in the functioning of AI systems.
-
Prevent algorithmic bias from influencing outcomes.
-
Maintain records demonstrating compliance with established ethical standards.
-
-
Affected individuals will have the right to file complaints with the Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence regarding any misuse or harm caused by AI technologies.
-
Penalties for Non-Compliance: The Ethics Committee will enforce penalties for developers and organizations that fail to adhere to ethical standards.
-
The Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence is required to submit an annual report to the Central Government, outlining its activities, findings, and recommendations from the preceding financial year.
This Bill emphasizes a balanced approach to maximize AI’s benefits while protecting against potential misuse. By empowering an independent Ethics Committee and imposing stringent penalties for violations, this legislation aims to ensure that AI technologies serve the greater good and uphold democratic values.