Ramesh Kumar Madhuker -- Cloud Center of Excellence
It’s 2025, and artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere—powering your smartphone, streamlining hospitals, even helping farmers in India monitor crops. But with this incredible tech comes a catch: ethical challenges that hit close to home. AI’s impact is huge, especially in a country like India with its massive tech workforce. Let’s dive into these issues with a human lens, exploring how AI affects our lives and what we can do to keep it in check, both globally and in India.
Privacy in the age of AI: A global and Indian perspective
Ever get that eerie feeling when an ad pops up for something you were just thinking about? That’s AI at work to make life more convenient. But here’s the flip side: this data hunger raises serious privacy risks. A single breach could spill your personal info, and AI-powered surveillance, like facial recognition in public spaces, can feel like someone’s watching your every move. Then there’s deepfakes—AI-generated fake videos or audio that can ruin reputations in a flash. Imagine a fake video of a loved one going viral; it’s a nightmare.
Globally, 2025 is a turning point for regulation. The European Union’s AI Act, effective since August 2024, is leading the charge. It sorts AI systems by risk, demanding transparency and human oversight for high-stakes uses like healthcare or hiring. In the U.S., states like California are pushing laws like Assembly Bill (AB) 2013 to ensure AI developers disclose training data, protecting against misuse.
In India, there’s no specific AI law yet, but the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), passed in 2023, steps up to guard personal data used by AI (DPDPA 2023). It gives people control over their data and holds companies accountable for secure handling. The Indian government’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2018) and Principles for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) also push for ethical AI, focusing on transparency and inclusivity (India AI Ethics). These are solid steps, but India’s framework isn’t as comprehensive as the EU’s, and challenges like deepfakes still loom large.
Broader ethical concerns
AI’s ethical challenges go beyond privacy and jobs. Biased data can lead to unfair outcomes—like hiring algorithms favoring certain groups. In India, where diversity is vast, ensuring AI reflects all voices is critical. Then there’s the “black box” issue: AI decisions we can’t explain, like why someone was denied a loan. This is especially tricky in healthcare or criminal justice, where mistakes can be life-changing. Plus, training AI models guzzles energy—some emit as much carbon as hundreds of flights. Sustainable practices, like using renewable energy, are a must. And let’s not forget security risks—AI can power cyberattacks or even autonomous weapons, raising tough questions about who’s responsible when things go wrong.
A path forward: A human-centered future
So, how do we make AI work for us, not against us? It starts with teamwork. Globally, regulations like the EU AI Act set a high bar for transparency and fairness. In India, the DPDPA and Principles for Responsible AI are a start, but more robust laws are needed. Businesses must adopt ethical AI policies, invest in privacy tech, and build diverse teams to catch biases early. Governments, especially in India, should fund retraining programs to help workers shift to new roles, ensuring AI’s benefits reach everyone.
Education is key too. From Harvard to Indian institutes like IITs, teaching AI ethics prepares the next generation to shape tech responsibly. By focusing on transparency, fairness, and sustainability, we can harness AI’s potential while keeping our values intact. So, what’s your take—how can we ensure AI lifts us all up, in India and beyond?
|
Category |
Key concerns |
Examples/developments |
|
Privacy |
Data breaches, surveillance, deepfakes, regulatory gaps |
EU AI Act, India’s DPDPA, Principles for Responsible AI |
|
Bias and fairness |
Discriminatory outcomes from biased data, lack of diversity in AI teams |
Biases in hiring/lending, need for diverse development teams |
|
Transparency |
Opaque “black box” AI decisions, trust erosion |
EU AI Act transparency rules, advancements in explainable AI (XAI) |
|
Environmental impact |
High carbon footprint from AI training, sustainability concerns |
Calls for greener algorithms, renewable energy use |
|
Security and misuse |
AI in cyberattacks, autonomous weapons, surveillance |
Need for robust security measures, ethical oversight |
Table: Key ethical implications of AI in 2025, including India
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Key citations:
· European Union. "Artificial Intelligence Act Regulatory Framework." Effective August 2024. Retrieved from digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu.
· Government of India. "Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023." Passed August 2023. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org.
· Ministry of Finance, India. "Economic Survey 2024-25." Government of India, 2025. Retrieved from pib.gov.in.
· World Economic Forum. "The Future of Jobs Report 2020." Retrieved from weforum.org.
· McKinsey & Company. "The State of AI: How Organizations Are Rewiring to Capture Value." March 2025. Retrieved from mckinsey.com.
· IndiaAI. "Navigating the Intersection of Human Rights and AI in India." February 2024. Retrieved from indiaai.gov.in.
