Arya News - India’s telecom sector needs stronger safeguards, human oversight and clear accountability as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in telecom networks, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said on Monday.
NEW DELHI – India’s telecom sector needs stronger safeguards, human oversight and clear accountability as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in telecom networks, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said on Monday.
Speaking at an event marking a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UK government and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Lahoti said AI can significantly improve network efficiency and strengthen the detection of threats and anomalies. However, he stressed that the technology must evolve alongside appropriate governance mechanisms.
According to Lahoti, AI systems deployed across telecom networks should be assessed not only for their technological capabilities but also from the perspectives of public interest, consumer welfare and regulatory readiness.
Lahoti said greater automation should not come at the cost of accountability. As telecom networks become increasingly autonomous, mechanisms must continue to exist through which humans can monitor decisions, conduct audits and intervene when required.
The TRAI chief highlighted human oversight, auditability and intervention capabilities as important safeguards for the responsible adoption of AI.
This becomes particularly relevant as automated systems increasingly influence how networks identify suspicious activity, classify risks and respond to potential threats.
The regulator also pointed to the double-edged nature of AI in tackling digital fraud. While AI-powered systems can analyse large volumes of data and identify unusual patterns that may indicate scams or cyber threats, the same technology can potentially be exploited by criminals to make fraudulent activities more sophisticated.
Ben Mellor, Acting British High Commissioner to the Republic of India, also stressed the need to balance technological innovation with security and resilience. He noted that the risks are becoming more significant as criminals increasingly use AI to support scams.
Lahoti cautioned that automated risk-classification tools need clearly defined thresholds, safeguards and review processes. An incorrect assessment by an AI system could have serious consequences if a genuine consumer, business or communication is wrongly flagged as suspicious.
Such errors could potentially result in service interruptions, reputational damage or denial of access, making human review an important part of AI-driven decision-making.
The comments come as telecom operators and technology companies accelerate the use of AI for network management, fraud detection, customer services and threat monitoring.
The MoU between the UK government and COAI seeks to deepen cooperation in areas including AI, digital connectivity, digital trust and responsible technology-led innovation.
The broader focus is on ensuring that the expansion of AI within digital infrastructure does not outpace the frameworks needed to protect consumers and maintain trust in increasingly automated networks.