Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill 2025: Key Provisions, Need & Impact

Recently, the Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha, by Bharti Pardhi, to establish an Ethics and Accountability Framework for the use of Artificial Intelligence technologies in decision- making surveillance, and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability.

Need for the Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill, 2025:

Due to the rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence technologies have presented immense opportunities for social advancement but also pose significant ethical and regulatory challenges. These include the risks of algorithmic bias, misuse of surveillance capabilities, lack of transparency, and accountability in decision making systems.

Therefore, the proposed bill aims to address the following challenges:

1. Establishing a comprehensive framework for ethical AI deployments;

2. Ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability in AI systems;

3. Protecting individuals and communities from harm caused by unethical or biased AI applications;

4. Promoting innovation and trust in AI technologies through clear regulatory guidelines.

All you need to know about the Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Accountability) Bill, 2025:

1. Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) will mean computer systems/ applications capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, including but not limited to decision making, language processing, and visual perception.

2. The Bill proposed to constitute a Committee, Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence, to:

   • Develop and recommend ethical guidelines for AI technologies;

   • Monitor compliance with ethical standards in AI systems;

   • Review cases of misuse, bias or violations;

   • Promote awareness and capacity-building among stakeholders.

3. The Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence will consist of:

   • Chairperson having expertise in ethics and technology;

   • Such number of experts in law, data science and human rights, to be appointed by the Central Government;

   • Such number of representatives from academia, industry, civil society and government.

4. Restrictions on surveillance and decision-making:

   • The use will be limited to lawful purposes with prior approval of the Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence;

   • AI systems involved in critical decision- making including law enforcement, financial credit and employment will:

     • Not be only based on race, religion, gender, or any of them;

     • Will be subjected to stringent ethical reviews by the Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence.

5. Responsibility of Developers:

   • Ensure transparency in AI systems;

   • Ensure prevention of algorithmic bias;

   • Maintain records of compliance with ethical standards.

6. Affected individuals will be able to file complaints with the Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence regarding misuse/ harm caused by AI technologies.

7. Penalties for non-compliance:

   • Can extend up to Rs. 5 crores depending on severity of the violation;

   • Suspension or revocation of licenses for deploying AI systems.

8. The Ethics Committee for Artificial Intelligence will have to submit its report to the Central Government at the end of each financial year.

   The report will consist of the activities, findings, and recommendations undertaken during the previous financial year.

This Bill emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to foster AI’s positive impacts while safeguarding against its potential misuse.

This legislation seeks to ensure AI technologies serve the greater good and uphold democratic values by empowering an independent Ethics Committee and prescribing robust penalties for violations.