TLDR: Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics standards are currently under development and will be adopted by countries, including India, once finalized. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare announced this at a PHDCCI conference, highlighting India’s active role in shaping these international frameworks. Currently, 39 global AI standards exist, with an additional 45 in various stages of development.
New Delhi, September 17, 2025 – The global community is actively working towards establishing comprehensive ethical standards for Artificial Intelligence, with India poised to adopt these frameworks upon their finalization. This announcement was made by Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare on Wednesday, during a PHDCCI conference focused on leveraging AI to combat fraud and counterfeits within the retail and e-commerce sectors.
Addressing the increasing integration of AI into daily life, Khare emphasized that global standard-setting bodies are deeply engaged in deliberating frameworks for the ethical deployment of this transformative technology. ‘Indian experts are in the international standards-setting committees. Once the global standards are framed, they will be adopted by the countries, including India,’ she stated. The ongoing discussions at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) meeting are specifically centered on preparing standards for the responsible, inclusive, and ethical use of AI. Khare noted that 39 global AI standards are already in place, with a further 45 currently under development.
The Secretary underscored India’s significant contribution to this global effort, highlighting that many Indian experts are leading these international organizations and actively shaping the evolving AI standards. She stressed the necessity for governments to establish robust legal frameworks to protect consumers from potential manipulation and deception facilitated by AI. ‘With that, governments will be forced to come out with legal frameworks so that we can save our consumers from getting manipulated, cheated,’ Khare asserted.
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While acknowledging AI’s potential for misuse, such as spreading propaganda, which she deemed ‘absolutely unacceptable behavior,’ Khare also recognized its positive contributions. She cited AI’s role in powering social media platforms and fostering innovation, describing it as ‘a good innovation. It is a creative innovation.’ The conference served as a platform to discuss the dual nature of AI technology – its immense potential for combating fraud in various sectors versus the inherent risks if used unethically. India’s proactive engagement in these international committees positions it as a key influencer in the global governance of AI.
