TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said on Monday that artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities but must be governed with the right approach. He added that the regulator’s recommendations on satellite communications (SATCOM) have been submitted to the central government and are awaiting a decision. Lahoti highlighted SATCOM’s role in delivering services to remote and difficult‑to‑reach areas, noting that the regulator’s recommendations will take effect once the government acts.
The remarks were made during the CO.AI 2026 forum, co‑hosted by the Cellular Operators Association of India and the British High Commission. At the event, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in AI, digital connectivity, digital trust and technology‑led innovation. Lahoti referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s AI Summit 2026 framework, describing it as a useful basis for aligning AI development with public interest. The framework covers ethical systems, accountable governance, national sovereignty, inclusion and legitimacy, and stresses that AI should augment, not diminish, human agency.
Forum discussions were organized around three themes: AI for autonomous networks; AI for security, trust and resilience; and AI for citizens and public services. Industry leaders, including Rahul Vatts of COAI and Ravi P. Gandhi of Reliance Jio, emphasized that AI should be treated as a continuum with telecom, and highlighted its use in combating spam, fraud and improving network efficiency. The British High Commissioner noted that governments must balance innovation with security and accountability.
Participants agreed that telecom networks will not only support AI workloads but will themselves become AI‑enabled systems, capable of optimizing performance, strengthening security and protecting consumers from emerging risks. The partnership with the UK is seen as the start of sustained cooperation on fraud and scam prevention, with a focus on clear lines of responsibility and safeguards for AI deployment.
