IIT Madras hosts safe and trusted AI conclave; leaders discuss AI governance and safety frameworks

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras’ Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (WSAI) hosted a two-day Conclave on ‘Safe and Trusted AI’ on December 10 and 11, 2025. The event focused on AI safety, governance frameworks and developing an open, collaborative ecosystem for AI resources.

The discussions at the conclave covered the creation of an AI safety commons, sharing datasets, tools, benchmarks and governance protocols, and pathways to recommend AI governance guidelines suitable for the Global South. The deliberations aimed to strengthen global capacity for responsible AI and ensure trustworthiness, reliability and safety in AI systems.

The two-day event followed international initiatives such as the UK AI Safety Summit, AI Seoul Summit, France AI Action Summit and the Global AI Summit on Africa.

IITM ‘Safe and Trusted AI’ Conclave: AI safety commons discussed

As per the institute, the event included keynotes and panel discussions, as well as closed-door sessions by the safe and trusted AI working group. These activities were part of preparatory work for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South.

“The insights generated over the two-day deliberations are expected to inform the Safe and Trusted AI Working Group’s contributions to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and strengthen India’s leadership in shaping trusted, responsible and future-ready AI systems,” the official press release said.

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IIT Madras director highlights growing role of AI co-pilots

The Conclave was inaugurated by the TRB Rajaa, minister for industries, investment promotions and commerce, government of Tamil Nadu, in the presence of IIT Madras officials and stakeholders. Participants included senior leaders from government, industry, academia, civil society and global AI institutions.

Speakers highlighted the increasing use of AI in decision-making across sectors and the need for operational mechanisms to translate responsible AI principles into practice.

Highlighting the need for such conferences, V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, said, “AI has reached a stage where it is becoming more and more pervasive into everyone's life. And we are tasking the AI to help in many of the intricate activities, including suggestions for health, suggestions for education. Lot of co-pilots are already there. Before we even define the word ‘co-pilot’, people have been using AI for making lot more decisions.”