The Indian Finance Ministry has banned employees from using AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek on government devices, citing risks to data confidentiality.
The ministry's decision follows global apprehension regarding AI's handling of sensitive data on external servers. Meanwhile, the government is considering a broader AI policy as Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to discuss AI ecosystem development.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had a "super cool" discussion with OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman regarding a broad cooperation strategy in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Altman is currently on a visit to India. He emphasized that India should take the lead in the AI sector.
"We had a ‘super cool’ discussion with Altman about GPUs, models, and the entire AI stack. He is ready to collaborate with India in all three areas. Altman also praised India's AI democratization policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for AI," Vaishnaw shared on X (formerly Twitter). "India should fully participate and move forward with full potential among the leading countries driving the AI revolution," Altman urged.
Indian developers are making significant contributions to OpenAI in chip manufacturing, model development, and AI applications. As India’s technological capabilities continue to grow, the country is making steady progress toward leadership in AI, according to Altman. "If innovation is happening anywhere in the world, why can’t it happen in India?" Vaishnaw remarked.
Using foreign AI tools requires users to disclose personal details. Many AI applications request permissions that allow them to access sensitive data stored on computers or mobile devices. This poses the risk of exposing private and confidential information, leading to potential data theft or misuse. Consequently, ministries and various departments have been instructed that government employees should not use AI applications for official work. The central government is also considering tightening regulations on AI usage to ensure data security.