IIT Madras’ CeRAI Hosts Two-Day Conclave on ‘Safe and Trusted AI’ Focused on Global South Governance
CHENNAI: The Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras, part of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, convened a significant two-day conclave on ‘Safe and Trusted AI’ on December 10 and 11, 2025. This event brought together leaders from various sectors including government, industry, academia, civil society, and global AI institutions to advance discussions on AI safety and governance specifically tailored for the Global South.
Focus of the Conclave
The conclave was centered around the development of an advanced ‘AI Safety Commons’. This concept refers to an open and collaborative ecosystem of shared resources aimed at fostering safe AI practices. Additionally, the event focused on identifying pathways to recommend AI governance guidelines that are essential for the responsible deployment of AI technologies.
Inauguration and Keynote Addresses
The conclave was inaugurated by Dr. TRB Rajaa, the Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce for the Government of Tamil Nadu. He was joined by Prof. Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, along with senior stakeholders from the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. During his address, Dr. Rajaa emphasized the necessity for robust policy interventions to ensure that AI systems serve all communities effectively. He expressed Tamil Nadu’s ambition to become an “AI-first” state and highlighted the importance of strengthening the state’s ethical AI policies to ensure that technology remains powerful and inclusive.
Prof. V. Kamakoti also spoke at the event, noting the increasing integration of AI into daily life and its critical roles in sectors such as health and education. He stressed that the development of safe and trusted AI is essential as India gears up for the upcoming AI Impact Summit. The Scientific Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Sriraam Natarajan from the University of Texas at Dallas, who provided insights into the current landscape of AI research and its implications for safety and governance.
Global Representation and Collaborative Efforts
Shri Mohammad Y Safirulla, Director of the IndiaAI Mission at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), noted that the discussions at the conclave are part of a globally representative initiative involving experts from 112 countries. The insights gained from this conclave are expected to directly contribute to the outcomes of the Leaders’ Declaration at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
This conclave was held against the backdrop of significant global momentum from major international AI forums, including the UK AI Safety Summit, AI Seoul Summit, France AI Action Summit, and the Global AI Summit on Africa. The second day of the conclave featured closed-door discussions with the Safe and Trusted AI Working Group, which are part of the preparatory efforts for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, marking it as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Addressing AI Safety Incidents
During the conclave, speakers and participants highlighted the rising frequency of AI safety incidents around the world, stressing the urgent need to transform responsible AI principles into practical, context-aware mechanisms. The Working Group, chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, is dedicated to building global capacity, enhancing inclusion, and developing interoperable governance frameworks that embed trust, reliability, and safety into AI systems.
Prof. Ravindran emphasized the Working Group’s commitment to fostering equitable access to AI safety resources while ensuring that governance guidelines enable innovation without compromising societal well-being. The second day also featured a virtual keynote by Peter Mattson, Founder President of ML Commons, along with panel discussions focusing on the significance of developing AI Safety Commons for the Global South and operationalizing AI governance guidelines.
Expected Outcomes
The insights generated from the two-day deliberations are anticipated to guide the Safe and Trusted AI Working Group’s contributions to the India AI Impact Summit 2026. This summit aims to bolster India’s leadership in shaping trusted, responsible, and future-ready AI systems, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible and beneficial to all communities.
Conclusion
The conclave at IIT Madras represents a crucial step towards establishing a framework for safe and trusted AI governance in the Global South. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the event aims to create a more inclusive AI landscape that prioritizes safety, reliability, and ethical considerations in the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the events and discussions that took place during the conclave held on December 10 and 11, 2025.
