AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG)

The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG), a high-level inter-ministerial body aimed at serving as India’s central institutional mechanism for artificial intelligence (AI) governance, policy development, and coordination.

The formation of AIGEG formalizes key institutional recommendations outlined in India’s AI Governance Guidelines and the Economic Survey, both of which emphasized the need for a unified and coordinated approach to AI regulation and deployment.

Objective and Role

The AIGEG will function as the apex inter-ministerial body to:

• Ensure a whole-of-government approach to AI governance
• Align policies and actions across ministries, departments, regulators, and advisory bodies
• Develop a coherent national AI strategy
• Balance AI deployment with labour market realities and social stability concerns

The Economic Survey had highlighted the necessity of a coordinating authority to harmonize AI-driven growth with employment and socio-economic priorities.

Leadership and Composition

The body will be chaired by Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also holds portfolios of Railways and Information & Broadcasting.

Jitin Prasada will serve as the Vice Chairperson.

The AIGEG includes senior representatives from across government sectors such as:

• Policy development
• Science and technology
• Security
• Economic affairs

Expert Support Mechanism

To strengthen its functioning, the AIGEG will be supported by a Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC).

The TPEC will provide advisory inputs on:

• Global AI developments
• Emerging technologies
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Regulatory frameworks
• Evolving governance priorities

Significance

The establishment of AIGEG marks a significant step toward institutionalizing AI governance in India. It aims to ensure that AI development is:

• Strategically aligned with national priorities
• Economically beneficial
• Socially responsible and inclusive