New Delhi, 05 May 2025:
In a significant step toward shaping a responsible and inclusive digital future, a four-day workshop titled “AI Standards for Increasing the Efficiency of Telecommunications & ICTs: Shaping the Future Responsibly” was inaugurated today at the National Communications Academy–Finance (NCA-F) in New Delhi. The event, co-hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office & Innovation Centre and NCA-F, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), brings together delegates from BIMSTEC countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India—along with the Maldives and international experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.
The workshop sets out to build consensus around ethical and globally harmonized AI standards that can guide the use of artificial intelligence in telecommunications and ICT. At a time when digital transformation is sweeping across economies, this initiative echoes a shared concern: that AI must evolve as a force for collective good and not become a tool of exclusion or inequity.
Delivering the keynote address, Shri Manish Sinha, Member (Finance), Digital Communications Commission, Department of Telecommunications, extended a warm welcome to all participants. He praised the fruitful collaboration between NCA-F and the ITU Area Office, terming it a beacon of institutional partnership. Shri Sinha emphasized the importance of staying and learning together in a shared campus environment—allowing for deeper conversations and stronger bonds among regional partners.
Underscoring India’s dual commitment to AI and manufacturing, he stated that the country is striving to lead not only in setting robust AI standards but also in producing innovative telecom solutions. He credited organizations like the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and TSDSI for driving ethical AI development through fairness assessments and internationally aligned technical frameworks. Calling for active engagement, he urged delegates to co-create practical and scalable AI standards that reflect diverse regional realities and propel sustainable development.
In a heartfelt recorded message, Shri Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, affirmed the irreplaceable value of regional cooperation in this endeavor. “Regional collaboration on AI standards is not optional—it is essential for ensuring that emerging technologies serve our collective development goals,” he said. His words resonated with a deep sense of shared responsibility among BIMSTEC members.
Ms. Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at ITU, added an important global perspective, noting that AI is no longer confined to research labs—it is shaping economies, societies, and daily life. With AI projected to contribute $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030, she stressed that standards are essential to ensure trust, innovation, and sustainability in how AI is deployed.
Ms. Madhavi Das, Director General of NCA-F, delivered a powerful welcome address that reflected both pride and humility. “AI is a transformational force—but without strong, inclusive standards, it risks leaving many behind,” she cautioned. Her remarks highlighted the moral dimension of technology governance, reminding participants that standardization is not just about rules—it is about safeguarding ethics, equity, and access in a rapidly digitizing world.
As India plays host to this international gathering, its hospitality reflects its deeply held values of Atithi Devo Bhava—the guest is God. Ms. Das expressed heartfelt appreciation for the participants’ presence, reinforcing the importance of mutual respect and shared learning in crafting a better digital future for all.
Over the next four days, the workshop will feature simulation exercises, technical sessions, expert panels, and field visits aimed at strengthening the capacity of participants to contribute to AI standardization. This gathering is not just about frameworks and policies—it is a sincere attempt to ensure that as technology progresses, no one is left behind.
About NCA–Finance (NCA-F):
A premier Central Training Institute under the Department of Telecommunications, NCA-F is UTKRISHT-graded by the Department of Personnel & Training. It provides training to officers of the Indian Posts & Telecom Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) and others across DoT and DoP. With a curriculum covering telecom policy, spectrum management, revenue assurance, and digital inclusion, NCA-F plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s telecom and ICT ecosystem. Through partnerships with institutions like ITU, WHO, TRAI, RBI Staff College, and IIT Bombay, it continues to promote global cooperation and thought leadership in telecommunications.
