DIF flags security risk in Pakistan's bid to join Brics-backed AI bloc
The Digital India Foundation (DIF), a founding member of the AI Alliance Network (AIANET), has opposed the proposed inclusion of Pakistan's AI Technology Centre (AITeC) in the alliance, warning that it could compromise the group's credibility, security and core values.
Formed following the Brics Summit in late 2024, AIANET was envisioned as a multilateral coalition of AI research institutions committed to ethical, transparent and peaceful development of artificial intelligence. The alliance brings together member institutions from Brics nations and other aligned democracies to foster collaboration in civilian AI research, safeguard against dual-use risks, and set global benchmarks for responsible innovation.
In a letter to AIANET leadership dated July 11, 2025, DIF argued that Pakistan's AI ecosystem lacks institutional accountability, suffers from weak legal safeguards, and is shaped by military-led programs with limited civilian oversight. It warned that AITeC's entry would pose a direct threat to the network's integrity.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
'The membership application of AITeC should be seen as Pakistan's way of gaining access to our R&D and technology with the aim of weaponising AI,' said Dr. Arvind Gupta, co-founder and head of DIF. 'We need to ensure that this does not happen.'
DIF flagged several AITeC labs, including those focused on autonomous systems, computer vision, and edge computing, for their dual-use potential and susceptibility to being repurposed for cyber operations, cross-border targeting, or terrorism-linked surveillance. It also cited the 2025 US Country Reports on Terrorism, which highlight the risk of AI tools being used by Pakistan-based groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Pakistan remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list due to ongoing failures in curbing terror financing and money laundering. DIF warned that in such an environment, AI labs could be exploited to automate illicit finance channels, including crypto-driven fundraising for extremist networks.
The think tank also noted that Pakistan lacks enforceable data protection laws and independent oversight mechanisms, both of which are prerequisites for AIANET membership. It pointed out that the country's flagship AI agency — CENTAI, under the Pakistan Air Force — prioritises defence applications, which contradicts AIANET's civilian-first charter.
'Pakistan's integration into this multilateral AI framework would fundamentally undermine the alliance's commitment to public-good innovation,' DIF stated, urging all members to reject the application in full.
The foundation called on AIANET to protect its democratic foundations, global cooperation principles, and long-term goal of building AI systems aligned with ethical and lawful use.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mumbai Police files charge sheet against ex-Religare chair Rashmi Saluja, 3 others in ESOP case
Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police on Monday filed a charge sheet against former Religare Enterprises chairperson Rashmi Saluja and three others in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of employee stock options (ESOP) at Care Health Insurance Ltd . A dispute over the ESOP allotment to Saluja at the insurance subsidiary had escalated into a legal battle between Religare's then management and the Burmans who were pursuing to take over the financial services company. The charge sheet filed at a local magistrate's court names Saluja, former Religare finance chief Nitin Aggarwal, ex-group general counsel Nishant Singhal and a Mumbai-based office assistant, Vaibhav Gawli. The EOW investigated the matter after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September last year filed a complaint alleging that Saluja and her colleagues conspired to derail the takeover bid for Religare by misusing ESOP allotments and orchestrating a police complaint filed by the office assistant. Gawli was allegedly promised cash and shares in return. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Saluja, who has challenged the EOW's FIR in the Bombay HC, on Monday called the allegations "mala fide and flawed". She told ET: "When I have never met Gawli or ever communicated with him, how could I get him to lodge a complaint against the Burmans? Also, how could ESOPs be treated as proceeds of crime? They were issued by the board and NRC (nomination & remuneration committee)...why aren't they being questioned?" According to investigators, the insurance regulator had rejected Care Health's proposal to issue 22.71 million stock options, valued at more than ₹250 crore, to Saluja. Still, the company's board in August 2022 granted the ESOPs to her at ₹45.32 per share, to be vested in three tranches. In the same meeting, the board also cleared a ₹300 crore rights issue. Live Events The regulator in November 2023 ruled that the ESOPs were granted in violation of sectoral guidelines that cap non-executive director compensation at ₹10 lakh without prior approval.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hair treatment fails, Ghaziabad parlour told to refund Rs 22,000
Ghaziabad: The district consumer disputes redressal commission (DCDRC) on Aug 13 directed N Beauty Bar, a Kavinagar-based beauty parlour, to refund Rs 22,000 to a customer for a hair removal treatment that failed to deliver results. President DCDRC Praveen Kumar Jain and member RP Singh ruled that the parlour, through its manager, should return the entire sum taken for the service within 45 days and also pay a penalty of Rs 5,000 for the mental agony and litigation cost. An interest rate of 6% PA will be levied in case of delay in payment. Lohia Nagar resident Jaivik Goyal approached the commission on April 4, 2024, with a complaint against the parlour from where she booked a package for hair removal laser services, scheduled in eight sittings. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida | Gold Rates Today in Noida | Silver Rates Today in Noida "I attended the first session on July 24, 2023, followed by further sessions on Aug 7 and 26, Sept 8, Nov 3, Dec 18, 23, and 29, and paid in total Rs 22,000 for the services on these dates. According to the dermatologist, I should have got results within 3-4 weeks, but the package did not work as desired," she said. The commission issued notice to the manager of N Beauty Bar and an opportunity to appear in person or through a counsel, but in the absence of any response, heard the matter ex-parte. Referring to the documents on record, the commission ruled that since the customer was not provided with services that could produce desired results as per the claim of the beauty and personal care centre, it amounted to a deficiency in services. "Under the Consumer Protection Act, the service provider is liable to be charged with a penalty for deficiency of service and should also return the money charged from the customer," the commission ruled. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
TN to offer subsidies, grant & infrastructure for chip design firms
CHENNAI: The govt has decided to provide subsidies and grants to fabless design firms and set up common testing facilities, under the state's semiconductor Mission 2030, to become competitive in the chip value chain. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The state plans to provide financial incentives to 'Tamil Nadu-based entities' engaged in semiconductor design for integrated circuits (ICs), chipsets, system on chips (SoCs), as per a govt order. It also plans to provide incentives such as payroll subsidy (with a ceiling of Rs5 crore per firm), 50% subsidy (not exceeding Rs 20 crore) for design software and intellectual property sourcing, prototyping, testing, certification and others . This could complement the Union govt's design-linked incentives for chips and Tamil Nadu's broader efforts to build a semiconductor ecosystem. According to a release from the office of state industries minister T R B Rajaa on Monday, the Tamil Nadu govt is also establishing a centre of excellence to provide infrastructure for chip design, testing and validation. The CoE will be set up as a special purpose vehicle, promoted by TIDCO with a private sector or academic partner and is expected to provide project grants and land free of cost. The state's semiconductor design promotion scheme has a budgetary outlay of Rs 250 crore, testing infrastructure component has a Rs 75 crore outlay, out of Rs 500 crore chip mission announced in the state budget. It is understood that the govt may increase the allocation after the initial stages of implementation. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu plans to roll out a workforce development programme to train 1,000 engineering students from the state on platforms such as India Semiconductor Workforce Development Programme (ISWDP), a partnership among IISc, Synopsys and Samsung Semiconductor India Research. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As part of this, the govt will sponsor candidates to reputable training facilities outside the country, the release said. Rajaa said targeted subsidies and prototyping grants will provide fabless design firms the critical early stage support. 'The centres of excellence will anchor research, industry and academia collaboration. By supporting design-led innovation and enabling home-grown IP, we are laying the foundation for Tamil Nadu to become a global hub for tech products and solutions,' he said. 'By combining subsidies for design firms, investments in infrastructure and parks, enabling a pilot fabrication facility and a skilling programme, we are creating a self-sustaining semiconductor value chain, ' said V , state industries secretary. Recently, the govt announced the setting up of a small-scale production-grade fab in partnership with IIT-M, to train 4,500 technicians across fabrication, testing and packaging. The govt is also progressing with chip equipment manufacturing parks in Sulur and near Palladam, both spanning 100 acres of land.
