OpenAI executives discuss election misinformation and safety with civil society in India

Popular generative artificial intelligence company OpenAI, best known for its ChatGPT tool, gathered some of the top tech policy and civil society representatives in India on February 12 to discuss AI-driven misinformation and election preparedness for the upcoming general election.

Former top Indian government Information Technology officials and tech scholars who attended OpenAI’s private roundtable meeting in Delhi said the Election Commission of India (ECI) could be doing much more in coordination with major tech platforms such as OpenAI to combat misinformation and disinformation during a time of heightened sensitivities.

The civil society briefing was attended by digital rights groups, law and policy experts, disinformation reporters, influencers, at least one former government official, and Big Tech firms’ representatives, multiple participants told The Hindu.

During the meeting, OpenAI officials emphasised that they were in the country to get a lay of the land and understand the most pressing issues surrounding AI, such as synthetic media (deepfakes) and misinformation. The outreach takes on added significance as India emerges as the firm’s second largest user base outside the United States.

Rakesh Maheshwari, a former senior director and group coordinator at the Ministry of Electronics and Information (MeitY), suggested to the company that it should engage in deeper consultations with the Indian government and the ECI.