Gujarat preparing data governance framework to ensure privacy, ethical AI practices: Tech minister

The Gujarat government is preparing a governance framework to strengthen data protection and privacy in administrative systems while promoting ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), the assembly was informed on Wednesday.

The State Data Governance Framework is being prepared to strengthen data security and privacy across government departments, Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia said during the Question Hour.

Replying to a query raised by Janak Talavia (BJP), Modhwadia informed the House that the initiative forms part of the Gujarat AI Action Plan aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and responsible deployment of artificial intelligence-based systems in the state.


The minister maintained the government has taken several steps over the past year to ensure data privacy, intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and ethical AI practices.

The framework will lay down clear guidelines regarding data collection, usage, sharing and protection, ensuring that citizens' data remains secure, he emphasised.

According to the minister, the framework will guide the deployment of AI systems by incorporating key principles such as transparency, accountability and responsible use.

Specific attention is being given to address issues such as bias mitigation in artificial intelligence systems, improving explainability of AI-driven decisions, ensuring accountability mechanisms and maintaining human oversight in automated processes, he noted.

"The aim of this initiative is to make AI-based decision-making processes transparent, explainable and accountable while maintaining human control and oversight," Modhwadia said in his written reply.

The government has organized AI-specific training and workshops for officials and technical staff, focusing on issues like ethical AI, data privacy and cyber security. Moreover, guidance is provided on patent, copyright and trademark registration to promote innovation and research in the field of AI and deep tech, according to the reply.

In response to another question raised by Shailesh Mehta (BJP) regarding steps taken by the government to promote AI-based projects, the minister said Gujarat has undertaken several initiatives in the last two years to encourage innovation and research in the field of artificial intelligence.

The India AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) was established recently to set the direction for AI research, start-ups and industry collaboration in the state. Since then, four AI Innovation Challenges have been launched by AI Centre of Excellence (AICoE), covering 25 use cases, out of which 12 were provided by the Gujarat government, Modhwadia informed the assembly.

For the development of artificial intelligence in Gujarat, the existing IT/ITES Policy 2022-27 has been amended to provide 33 per cent relaxation in the eligibility criteria for AI start-ups, he said.

In December 2024, the government established an AI Centre of Excellence in partnership with NASSCOM, the apex body for the technology industry in India, at GIFT City in Gandhinagar.

"The Government of Gujarat is committed to bringing the state to the forefront of AI-enabled governance and building a strong ecosystem, which can lay a strong foundation for a more intelligent, efficient and citizen-centric future," asserted Modhwadia.

The minister informed the House that the government has constituted an AI Task Force to guide policy direction and based on its recommendations, the Gujarat AI Action Plan was prepared.