Safe and Trusted AI Governance Practices for Global South Developers | Major Insights

Discover how safe and trusted AI governance practices for Global South developers were shaped at IIT Madras’ two-day conclave, spotlighting inclusive AI safety, policy frameworks, and global collaboration.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies, societies, and daily life—but ensuring this transformation remains ethical, transparent, and beneficial to all populations is a global challenge. In Chennai, this conversation took a significant leap forward when the Indian Institute of Technology Madras hosted a pivotal event designed to elevate safe and trusted AI governance practices for Global South developers, addressing issues of equity, safety, and governance in emerging AI landscapes.

The two-day conclave convened global thought leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and academic researchers to collaboratively shape frameworks that can help ensure that AI technology benefits people and communities rather than exacerbating risks or inequalities.

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Bridging Global AI Safety and Local Needs

At the heart of this event was the goal of advancing safe and trusted AI governance practices for Global South developers. This focus is particularly important as nations and organizations in the Global South—comprising Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia—seek to harness AI for development without compromising safety or ethical norms.

Why Global AI Governance Matters

Prior global summits and reports have documented rising incidents of unsafe AI deployments, from biased decision models to opaque public systems that operate without adequate accountability. The IIT Madras conclave tackled these issues head-on, bringing together dialogue on AI safety, trustworthiness, and responsible innovation mechanisms.

Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, remarked that AI is already deeply ingrained in daily life and human decision-making. Emphasizing the need for context-aware safeguards, he noted that effective governance must consider local socio-cultural norms and broader ethical implications.

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Key Highlights from the Two Days

1. The Launch of AI Safety Commons Initiatives

One of the most significant themes was the development of an AI Safety Commons—an open, shared ecosystem of resources that includes datasets, tools, benchmarks, best practices, and governance protocols.

This AI Safety Commons concept aims to provide:

• Collaborative datasets for safety evaluation
• Best practice guides for building responsible AI systems
• Interoperable governance mechanisms tailored to regional needs
• Benchmarks for reliability and transparency

By focusing on an open model of shared knowledge, the conclave reinforced the importance of cooperation over competition—especially for developers in the Global South working with limited resources. IIT Madras

2. High-Level Policy Discussions on Governance Frameworks

Experts and officials discussed pathways to recommend AI governance guidelines that align with global norms while remaining adaptable to local needs. Such frameworks seek to operationalize responsible AI principles into practical policies that governments, institutions, and developers can use.

These discussions integrated perspectives from international summits and AI councils across the UK, France, Seoul, and Africa. IIT Madras

3. Voices from Policymakers and Global Experts

The event was inaugurated by Dr. T.R.B. Rajaa (Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu), who emphasized the necessity for ethical AI governance taking into account cultural and regional expectations.

Speakers like Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, Chair of the Safe & Trusted AI Working Group, further explained that the conclave’s insights will be integrated into preparations for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South.

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Expert Insights: What This Means for AI Development

The conclave not only revolved around theoretical frameworks but also turned abstract ethics into actionable steps. Technical experts urged developers and organizations to:

• Prioritize equity and inclusivity in AI system design
• Build tools that support trustworthiness and transparency
• Establish local feedback mechanisms to continually assess AI performance
• Align AI deployments with societal needs and human rights principles

One panel explored how best to extend access to AI safety resources for smaller developers and research institutions, particularly in the Global South. Such strategies include open-source toolkits, shared benchmark libraries, and community-driven safety reporting platforms. IIT Madras

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From Global Policy to Grassroots Impact

Experts at the conclave made a clear case for contextualizing AI governance—especially for developers and communities less represented in mainstream AI debates. The shared view emphasized that responsible AI governance should:

• Support innovation without compromising safety
• Encourage local language datasets and bias-aware design
• Balance technological advancement with human rights protections

In addition to theoretical frameworks, the conclave promoted practical collaboration and resource sharing that could empower early-stage AI developers and small firms across the Global South. This reflects a broader trend of pushing for inclusive AI ecosystems that benefit all societal segments.

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Integrating Responsible AI into Education and Policy

The discussions also underscored the importance of education in shaping responsible AI adoption. Leaders called for collaborative partnerships between academic institutions, governments, and civil society to:

• Integrate AI ethics into educational curricula
• Build awareness of AI safety protocols among future developers
• Encourage research into contextualized governance models

These recommendations highlight how building safe and trusted AI governance practices for Global South developers isn’t only about regulation—it’s also about equipping individuals and communities with knowledge to responsibly use and assess AI technologies.

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Looking Ahead: The India AI Impact Summit 2026

With insights from this two-day conclave feeding directly into preparations for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, stakeholders expect:

• A consolidated Leaders’ Declaration emphasizing ethical AI frameworks
• Enhanced global cooperation on AI safety and governance
• Increased regional representation in AI policy dialogues

As this summit approaches, the conclave’s outcomes are seen as a foundational step toward establishing governance practices that reflect diversity, context, and inclusion on a global scale

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Bringing It All Together

The IIT Madras conclave delivered a pivotal conversation about how AI can be safely and ethically governed, particularly for developers and policymakers in the Global South. By promoting safe and trusted AI governance practices for Global South developers, forging an AI Safety Commons, and integrating real-world guidelines with technical insights, the event laid a strong foundation for future global AI collaboration.

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FAQs: Safe and Trusted AI Governance Conclave

1. What are safe and trusted AI governance practices for Global South developers?
   These are frameworks and protocols designed to ensure AI systems are reliable, transparent, and contextually grounded for developers in emerging economies.
2. Why did IIT Madras host the Safe and Trusted AI conclave?
   To bring global leaders together to address AI safety, governance, and inclusive development tailored for the Global South.
3. What is an AI Safety Commons?
   It’s an open ecosystem of shared resources—including datasets, tools, benchmarks, and governance best practices—that supports inclusive and safe AI development.
4. How will the conclave influence global AI policy?
   The conclave’s insights will feed into the Leaders’ Declaration at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, shaping global AI governance guidelines.
5. Who attended the two-day AI governance conclave?
   Government officials, industry leaders, academic researchers, civil society representatives, and global AI institutions participated.
6. How does AI governance impact daily life?
   Effective governance can reduce biases, increase safety, and ensure that AI tools benefit individuals and communities without harm.
7. What role do educational institutions play in AI governance?
   They help build knowledge, ethical awareness, and technical skills among future AI developers and policymakers.
8. Can AI Safety Commons help startups?
   Yes, by providing shared resources that support responsible AI innovation and reduce entry barriers for smaller developers.
9. How does the conclave benefit AI within India?
   The discussions promote region-specific governance approaches and support India’s leadership in global AI forums.
10. What is next after the conclave?
    The focus will shift to integrating conclave insights into the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and fostering ongoing collaborative governance efforts.