The time has come to highlight the need for universities in India to cultivate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-friendly cultures, strengthen leadership commitment, invest in staff training, and modernise infrastructure. A national AI strategy is needed that prioritises funding, equitable access, and leadership development to accelerate AI readiness in universities.

AI readiness is strongly influenced by the alignment of several internal determinants. Universities with innovative cultures, strong leadership, adequate funding, and robust infrastructure are better positioned to integrate AI. Conversely, universities with resistant cultures, weak leadership, insufficient budgets, and inadequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems face systemic barriers that slow adoption.

The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the years has sparked several discussions about its impact on higher education institutions. The development of ChatGPT, for instance, has raised concerns about issues such as academic integrity, plagiarism, and the role of educators in universities. Hence, there is a need for a National AI Strategy aimed at positioning universities as leaders in AI innovation, attracting investment, and promoting creativity alongside ethical AI development. This highlights the need for universities, as key stakeholders in human resource development and in spearheading research and innovation, to collaborate in supporting national development goals.

Presently, both lecturers and students are engaging with AI in various applications, sometimes knowingly and at other times unconsciously. While AI offers significant advantages, such as simplifying tasks, it also raises concerns about the potential replacement of certain skills. However, essential competencies such as critical thinking and programming remain indispensable for now. The evolving advancements in AI software and hardware continue to expand, bringing ethical challenges that underscore the need for humanistic education, with an emphasis on ethics and philosophy.

The immediate need is for greater collaboration among universities on AI research and the development of standardised AI guidelines for use across institutions. There is also a need to raise societal awareness about AI to prepare communities to engage with and accept the outcomes of university education, research, and innovation. Furthermore, embedding ethics is essential to promote the responsible use of AI within academia.

A national policy for AI use in universities is crucial to prevent fragmented institutional responses, safeguard academic integrity, ensure equitable access, and prepare graduates for an AI-driven workforce. Without national direction, institutions risk uneven implementation, widening digital divides, and undermining student trust through unmonitored predictive profiling. Uneven AI adoption could leave resource-limited universities and disadvantaged students further behind.

India does not have a single codified AI law but operates under a comprehensive national strategy driven by the ₹10,371 crore IndiaAI Mission and the principle-based India AI Governance Guidelines. The framework prioritises "AI for All", focusing on indigenous model development, computational capacity, and safe innovation. AI systems are governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023, for data privacy, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with recent IT Rules amendments covering deepfakes and algorithmic accountability. However, India does not have a unified, legally binding national AI policy for higher education. Instead, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides the broad foundation, encouraging institutions to integrate AI into curricula, research, and personalised learning.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognises AI's potential to drive economic growth, address educational challenges, enhance teacher capabilities, and personalise learning, while emphasising the importance of AI education across all levels of learning. The IndiaAI Mission, launched in March 2024, aims to make India a global AI leader by fostering innovation across government, institutions, start-ups, the private sector, and academia. Central to this strategy is democratising technology by ensuring AI tools and digital platforms reach remote villages, tribal areas, and underserved communities, thereby bridging the digital divide. This comprehensive approach aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, positioning India as an inclusive global AI leader. The NEP also acknowledges that AI, big data, and machine learning will transform labour markets and drive innovation. To ensure young people can adapt to these changes, it emphasises learning AI, computer science, data science, and other multidisciplinary subjects.

AI is a driver of change, affecting sectors as diverse as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, and governance. The global conversation around AI is rapidly evolving, and India has recognised the urgent need to position itself at the forefront of this technological revolution. This strategy is not merely a framework for technological adoption but a roadmap to unlock AI's full potential while addressing key challenges such as accessibility, inclusivity, and data privacy. The rapid evolution of AI has outpaced the development of robust policies and legislation, leading to significant ethical and public integrity concerns. In response, several countries have begun establishing regulatory frameworks.

Notably, the European Union (EU) has adopted a proactive approach. In 2018, it launched the European AI Strategy and a Coordinated Action Plan to establish the EU as a global AI leader while ensuring ethical and human-centric development. Building on this, the European Commission published its White Paper on AI in February 2020, outlining a comprehensive vision for AI in Europe. This led to the April 2021 proposal for the AI Act and a revised Coordinated Action Plan, designed to foster AI development while mitigating potential risks to safety and fundamental rights. The AI Act was officially adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in March 2024. Similarly, the United States has established frameworks to guide AI development and use. Key initiatives include the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (NAII) and America's AI Action Plan, both designed to promote and govern AI applications while setting clear policy goals for future advancement.

UNESCO's first global guidance on generative AI in education aims to support countries in implementing immediate actions, planning long-term policies, and developing human capacity to ensure a human-centred vision for these emerging technologies.

However, no one currently understands all of AI's inner workings well enough to fully control its outputs or predict its evolution. Nor are decision-makers held accountable for developing, deploying, or using systems they do not fully understand. Meanwhile, the negative spillover effects and downstream impacts of such decisions are likely to have global consequences.

A global approach to AI governance starts with a common understanding of its capabilities, opportunities, risks, and uncertainties. There is a need for timely, impartial, and reliable scientific knowledge and information on AI so that Member States can build a shared global understanding and reduce information asymmetries between companies operating expensive AI laboratories and the rest of the world.

Elon Musk warned at MIT's AeroAstro Centennial Symposium:

“I’m increasingly inclined to think that there should be some regulatory oversight, maybe at the national and international level, just to make sure that we don’t do something very foolish... With artificial intelligence we are summoning the demon.”

The author is former Director General of National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics