51 mins ago
India, Britain Sign AI and Digital Trust Cooperation Pact
India’s telecom industry group and the British High Commission agreed to work more closely on artificial intelligence.
They will focus on making digital connections smarter and safer.
They also want to build trust in online services and technology.
The agreement was signed at an event called CO.AI 2026.
Experts discussed using AI to improve telecom networks and protect people from digital fraud.
They also discussed using AI to provide better public services.
Officials said new technology needs rules that protect consumers while encouraging innovation.
They said cooperation between countries is useful because online threats can cross borders.
The Cellular Operators Association of India and the British High Commission signed an MoU on AI, connectivity and digital trust.
The agreement was signed at the CO.AI 2026 event held with government, regulatory, telecom and technology stakeholders.
CO.AI 2026 examined AI for autonomous networks, digital security and resilience, and citizen services.
Speakers said AI could improve network efficiency, consumer protection, fraud detection and secure digital services.
Officials emphasized that innovation must advance alongside governance, accountability, security, resilience and responsible technology use.
- Who
- The Cellular Operators Association of India and the British High Commission, with participation from government, regulators, telecom companies and technology firms.
- What
- They signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on artificial intelligence, connectivity, digital trust and responsible technology-led innovation.
- Where
- At the CO.AI 2026 event in India.
- When
- September 14, 2026.
- Why
- To support intelligent, secure, resilient and citizen-focused digital connectivity and address risks including digital fraud.
Key facts
- Agreement
- Memorandum of understanding between the Cellular Operators Association of India and the British High Commission.
- Main areas
- Artificial intelligence, connectivity, digital trust and responsible technology-led innovation.
- Event
- CO.AI 2026, organized by the Cellular Operators Association of India with the British High Commission.
- AI focus
- Autonomous networks; security, trust and digital resilience; and citizens, services and public value.
- Regulatory view
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said governance should balance investment, competition, innovation, quality and consumer protection.
- Public-interest concern
- Speakers highlighted the use of AI to combat digital fraud, improve consumer protection and strengthen secure digital services.
- British position
- Acting British High Commissioner to India Ben Mellor said innovation should progress alongside security, accountability and resilience.
Quotes
Anil Kumar Lahoti
Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
“Telecom networks will not only support AI workloads; they will increasingly become AI-enabled systems capable of optimising performance, strengthening security, improving service quality and protecting consumers from emerging digital risks. The MoU between COAI and the British High Commission reflects the importance of trusted international collaboration in shaping the future of digital connectivity.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“As the sector evolves, governance must continue to balance several objectives: encouraging investment, promoting competition, enabling innovation, ensuring quality and protecting consumers. These objectives are not always identical, but effective regulation must hold them together. International cooperation can add value where the challenges themselves are cross-border.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Ben Mellor
Acting British High Commissioner to India
“But AI is part of the solution too - it can help institutions move from reacting to individual incidents towards recognising patterns of harm early. That is the entire purpose of the UK's engagement today, and why this MoU matters. It starts with a defined public interest problem rather than a broad declaration of intent and gives our partnership with COAI the continuity to keep working together long after today.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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