Artificial Intelligence

The Draft AI Rules: A Welcome First Step

Summary: In a move to regulate deepfake, fake news and other misinformation, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has proposed draft rules seeking to amend the existing intermediary guidelines. They propose a wide definition of “synthetically generated information” without meaningful and practical standards on authenticity thresholds. Combined with this, it provides for prescriptive labelling norms that may leave little to no flexibility for intermediaries and additionally seeks to impose onerous user verification related obligations for significant social media intermediaries without any brightline standards. While the objective of the proposed regulations, rooted in user safety, is laudable, the draft in its current form can have wide reaching implications on how the overall AI ecosystem develops in India. As the devil lies in the details, it would be prudent to revisit the proposed rules and account for practical considerations, thresholds, and standards that will contribute to effective implementation. The draft rules are open for stakeholder consultation until November 6, 2025, and offer an opportunity to engage with the government for shaping the balance between innovation and user safety.Continue Reading The Draft AI Rules: A Welcome First Step

The increasing adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence (“AI”) enabled tools, platforms, and solutions by market participants in the financial sector, including the securities markets, is now widely recognised, both in India[1] and globally[2].Continue Reading The Consultation Paper on AI Regulation : A Case for Nuance?

Draft Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions 2025

Introduction

  • Computer Related Inventions (“CRIs”) comprise of inventions involving the use of computers, computer networks or other programmable apparatus and techniques related thereto and include inventions having one or more features that are realised wholly or partially by means of a computer hardware/ software. To foster uniformity and consistency in examining applications with respect to CRIs, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks released “Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (“CRIs”), 2017” (“2017 Guidelines”), which dealt with the various provisions to be considered by the patent office while dealing with patent applications related to CRIs.

Continue Reading Draft Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions 2025

Introduction:

The rapid development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and Machine Learning (“ML”) tools by market participants over the course of the past year prompted the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) to issue, on November 13, 2024, a consultation paper on “Proposed amendments with respect to assigning responsibility for the use of Artificial Intelligence Tools by Market Infrastructure Institutions, Registered Intermediaries and other persons regulated by SEBI” (“Draft Amendments”), seeking public suggestions on a series of amendments to the extant regulations.Continue Reading SEBI’s Proposed New Amendments on Usage of AI Tools by Regulated Entities

RegTech and Digital Public Infrastructure: Navigating Compliance in India’s Digital Landscape

The rapid advancement of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (“DPI”) – exemplified by initiatives such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”), and DigiLocker – has reshaped the nation’s digital ecosystem. This DPI has created transformative efficiencies, enabling streamlined interactions between citizens, businesses, and government services. However, as India solidifies its digital-first approach, regulatory challenges around data privacy, user consent, and cybersecurity have surged, demanding robust compliance mechanisms. Regulatory Technology (“RegTech”)  is emerging as a solution to these complex regulatory demands, leveraging automation to help entities comply with the country’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023[1] (“DPDP Act”), among other regulations.Continue Reading RegTech and Digital Public Infrastructure: Navigating Compliance in India’s Digital Landscape

Within the broad bucket of internal investigations that companies often undertake, disciplinary procedures in relation to employee misconduct are one of the most common forms of investigations. In this piece, we explore the current laws and best practices in relation to employee investigations and conducting disciplinary processes, the potential ramifications of Indian data protection law…

Revamping the Investment Advisers and Research Analysts Frameworks – the SEBI Way

Introduction

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Ministry of Finance, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) constituted several groups to recommend simplification of various regulations specified by it and invited suggestions from market participants[1]. Post deliberations on the suggestions received, the Working Group for review of compliance requirements for Investment Advisers (“IAs”) and Research Analysts (“RAs”) submitted its recommendations to SEBI’s Intermediaries Advisory Committee (“IAC”). SEBI has now released a consultation paper dated August 6, 2024, on ‘Review of Regulatory Framework for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts’ (“Consultation Paper”)[2] incorporating the recommendations proposed by IAC.Continue Reading Revamping the Investment Advisers and Research Analysts Frameworks – the SEBI Way

Fashion has always been about expressing oneself, making retail therapy an important concept in modern society.

Enter, digital technology, or in this case, the combination of fashion and technology. This made even the most uninterested shopper indulge in some impulse buying or atleast ‘window’ shopping, often intrigued by the features on various shopping apps.Continue Reading Fashion-Tech: From Runways to Regulations

Decoding Patent Searches: A brief on the types and strategies

Introduction

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) have undergone significant evolution in the recent past, and the increasing number of filings for different types of IP rights across the world show the increasing commitment of countries to foster innovation, creativity, and their desire to sustain it. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of innovation and technology, securing intellectual property rights through patents has become paramount for businesses and inventors. However, navigating the complex realm of patent law demands a thorough understanding of existing inventions and their legal implications. Continue Reading Decoding Patent Searches: A brief on the types and strategies

Financial institutions have invested heavily into artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (“ML”) techniques globally, and in India, over the past decade. There are estimates that AI technologies could potentially contribute towards US$ 1 trillion in additional value for the global banking sector, and a World Economic Forum survey indicated that seventy seven per cent of all respondents (151 fintechs and financial institutions from thirty three countries) anticipated AI to possess a high or a very high overall importance in their businesses in the near future. Tangible use-cases in the financial sector have resultantly sprung, benefitting both customers and investors through robo advisors, portfolio optimisation, and algorithmic trading bots. Financial institutions on their part have benefitted greatly through chat bots handling consumer interactions and grievances, identity verification (including video KYC), predictive analytics to mitigate and minimise frauds, etc.Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 19 – Series 1)- AI/ ML, ChatGPT: Legal and regulatory considerations for financial service use-cases