Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need for responsible freedom of speech in the era of artificial intelligence during the AI Impact Summit 2026. He warned that issues like deepfakes, misinformation, and unregulated digital content threaten institutional trust and put children at risk, highlighting that these elements undermine societal foundations like family and governance. Vaishnaw stated that all stakeholders, including social media platforms and content creators, must ensure technology strengthens trust rather than erodes it.
Amid global discussions on the impact of AI-generated media and digital speech, Vaishnaw argued for a reevaluation of the concept of freedom of speech, underscoring that it must come with responsibility. He noted an increasing acknowledgment worldwide that existing free speech frameworks need to adapt to the power of AI.
The minister stressed the importance of child protection, calling for strict legal and technical measures against AI misuse involving minors, advocating for techno-legal solutions that merge regulatory frameworks with technical safeguards. Vaishnaw also touched on the challenges OTT platforms face in considering cultural sensitivities in a borderless digital world.
The conversation with Charles Rivkin, CEO of the Motion Picture Association, differentiated between user-generated content and curated studio programming, emphasizing the importance of regulatory oversight. Vaishnaw reaffirmed India’s commitment to intellectual property rights and creator protections while positioning the country as an emerging hub for AI-enabled content creation. He concluded that as AI reshapes media and expression, innovation must align with responsibility to safeguard trust and protect children.
