India can shape AI governance, global standards: GSMA’s Jeanette Whyte

India is emerging as a central player in the global debate on artificial intelligence governance and technical standards, according to Jeanette Whyte, head of public policy at telecom industry body GSMA. She says India’s scale, its mix of digital public infrastructure and private-sector innovation, and its active role in international forums give it leverage to influence how AI is regulated and deployed worldwide.

Whyte notes that AI use is rising fast among Indian consumers and businesses, which is putting pressure on telecom networks to handle more data and low-latency services. That growth, she argues, makes it urgent for India to align AI policies, spectrum planning, and infrastructure investment so that regulation protects users without blocking new services. In her view, India’s choices on standards, data protection, and cross-border cooperation will help shape how AI systems are built and governed far beyond its borders.