The Indian Institute of Technology Madras' Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) will host the Industry Conclave on AI Governance 2026 on October 22. The event aims to address how AI systems can be measured, evaluated, and governed responsibly, with a focus on safety, fairness, and robustness, especially in the context of India and the Global South.
- The conclave focuses on AI measurement and governance methods.
- Experts from academia, industry, and policy will participate.
- Keynote talks, panel discussions, workshops, and a startup showcase are planned.
- Topics include AI safety, consumer rights, and responsible deployment.
- The event highlights challenges in AI evaluation and governance.
What is the main goal of the AI Governance Conclave?
The conclave aims to explore effective ways to measure and govern AI systems to ensure they are fair, safe, robust, and respect privacy and security. It seeks to bridge the gap between intent and practice in AI governance by focusing on evaluation methods and standards.
Who is organizing and participating in the event?
The conclave is organized by the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras. Participants include industry representatives, researchers, policymakers, startups, and experts such as Balaraman Ravindran, head of WSAI and CeRAI, Gopal Ramchurn from the University of Southampton and Responsible AI UK, and Mohan Kankanahalli from the National University of Singapore.
What topics will the conclave cover?
The event will cover AI measurement techniques, governance frameworks, and standards to evaluate AI systems for fairness, safety, robustness, privacy, and security. It will also discuss AI’s impact on consumer rights, accountability for AI actions, and risk management of agentic AI systems that operate with limited human supervision.
What are some highlights of the program?
The program includes keynote speeches, a panel discussion on AI and consumer rights, a fireside chat on AI measurement and governance, hands-on workshops on responsible AI tools and frameworks, and a startup showcase featuring companies working on AI evaluation and compliance technologies.
Why is measuring AI systems important for governance?
Balaraman Ravindran emphasized that governance without measurement is only a statement of intent. To ensure AI systems are fair, safe, and robust, their evaluation must be demonstrable. Accurate measurement supports accountability and helps mitigate risks associated with AI deployment.
How does the conclave address AI challenges specific to India?
The conclave will discuss how AI systems can be assessed within the contexts they are developed and deployed, including India’s healthcare sector and other local settings. This focus aims to create governance frameworks relevant to the unique social and economic environments of India and the Global South.
What role do startups play in the conclave?
Startups working on AI measurement, evaluation, observability, compliance, and governance will showcase their innovations. This provides a platform for collaboration with researchers and policymakers to advance responsible AI development.
What are the key messages from the keynote speakers?
Gopal Ramchurn highlighted the urgency of addressing accountability and risk management for AI systems that operate autonomously. Mohan Kankanahalli pointed out the rapid evolution of AI capabilities makes measurement challenging but essential for good governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When and where is the AI Governance Conclave 2026 held?
A: The conclave will take place on October 22, 2026, at IIT Madras.
Q: Who can attend the conclave?
A: The event is designed for industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, startups, and anyone interested in AI governance and responsible AI development.
Q: What is the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI)?
A: CeRAI is a research center at IIT Madras focused on developing methods and tools for responsible AI measurement, evaluation, and governance.
Q: Will there be opportunities for hands-on learning?
A: Yes, the conclave includes hands-on workshops on responsible AI tools and frameworks.
