IIT Madras, IndiaAI to Host Global Conclave on Safe & Trusted AI
In a significant move towards advancing India’s vision for safe, trusted, and inclusive artificial intelligence (AI), the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras, in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, is set to host a Pre-Summit Event on December 11, 2025, in Chennai. This event precedes the highly anticipated India–AI Impact Summit 2026.
Event Overview
The Pre-Summit Event will commence with a formal inauguration on the evening of December 10, followed by a full day of discussions and workshops on December 11. This gathering will mark the first time the India–AI Impact Summit is being hosted in the Global South, with the main summit scheduled to take place from February 15–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Key Participants
The Pre-Summit Event will feature a range of distinguished leaders and experts, including:
- Thiru. Dr. T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu
- Prof. Kamakoti V., Director, IIT Madras
- Sriraam Natarajan, Professor, University of Texas at Dallas
- Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, Professor & Head, WSAI, IIT Madras, and Chair of the Safe & Trusted AI Working Group
Senior officials from MeitY and national and international experts from various sectors, including industry, academia, civil society, and government, will also be in attendance.
Focus of the Conclave
The Conclave is anchored in India’s commitment to ethical, safe, and inclusive AI. It will focus on translating AI safety and governance principles into actionable practices. As AI systems become increasingly integral to both public and private sectors, concerns regarding fairness, accountability, and potential misuse have intensified. This highlights the urgent need for frameworks that are scalable, enforceable, and adaptable to diverse global contexts.
Safe & Trusted AI Working Group
Chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, the Safe & Trusted AI Working Group aims to bridge the gap between AI principles and practical implementation. The group’s mission is to foster an ecosystem grounded in transparency, reliability, and public trust, ensuring that innovation progresses responsibly, and the benefits of AI are equitably shared.
Conclave Activities
The Conclave will feature a variety of activities designed to stimulate discussion and collaboration, including:
- Keynote speeches from industry leaders and experts
- Expert panel discussions addressing current AI challenges
- Working sessions aimed at developing practical solutions and frameworks
These activities will examine pathways to establish an AI Safety Commons for the Global South, which will include creating shared datasets, benchmarks, and governance resources that facilitate safer and more reliable AI development.
Pathways to Practical Governance
Discussions at the Conclave will also focus on translating responsible AI principles into practical governance and regulatory models. This is essential for effective implementation across various cultural, legal, and technological contexts. By fostering cross-border collaboration, the Conclave aims to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society.
Building Capacity for AI Frameworks
The overarching goal of the Conclave is to build capacity and support AI frameworks that are globally interoperable yet locally grounded and scalable. The insights and consensus that emerge from these discussions will directly inform the vision, roadmap, and outcomes of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026.
India’s Growing Leadership in AI
This initiative reinforces India’s growing leadership in steering a global AI ecosystem rooted in trust, safety, and inclusion. The Conclave will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, ultimately contributing to a more responsible and equitable AI landscape.
Conclusion
The upcoming Pre-Summit Event at IIT Madras represents a crucial step in the global dialogue on AI safety and governance. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the Conclave aims to address the pressing challenges posed by AI technologies and work towards solutions that benefit all of society.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest updates regarding the event and is subject to change as the date approaches.
