India Launches Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ETAI) Framework for Armed Forces

New Delhi: In a major step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into India’s defence operations, the Evaluating Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ETAI) Framework and Guidelines were officially launched by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat in New Delhi. The launch marks a significant move in bolstering the country’s defence capabilities through AI technologies while ensuring their reliability and security.

In his inaugural address, General Chauhan emphasized the growing need for trustworthy AI in military operations, highlighting recent global conflicts that have demonstrated AI’s transformative role in modern warfare. He noted that, while AI systems can enhance battlefield effectiveness, ensuring their resilience against adversarial attacks and unintended failures is critical. He commended the Scientific Analysis Group for developing the ETAI Framework, underscoring its importance in enhancing the trustworthiness of AI in defence applications.

“The integration of AI into our defence systems must go hand-in-hand with ensuring these technologies are not only functional but also secure and reliable,” General Chauhan stated. He stressed the need for advanced AI systems that are robust enough to withstand external threats and meet the highest standards of performance.

Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), echoed these sentiments, pointing out that reliability, robustness, and safety are now indispensable features for AI systems used in defence. “AI applications must be built to avoid mission failures and unintended consequences. Ensuring the safety and transparency of these systems is key to the success of future defence operations,” Kamat said.

The ETAI Framework, developed by the Scientific Analysis Group, is a risk-based assessment model tailored for the defence sector but adaptable across industries. It focuses on five key principles—Reliability & Robustness, Safety & Security, Transparency, Fairness, and Privacy—which will guide the evaluation of AI systems. These principles are designed to ensure that AI technologies not only function as expected but also maintain ethical standards and safeguard privacy.

Suma Varughese, Distinguished Scientist and Director General of Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems, described the ETAI Framework as a comprehensive tool for assessing the trustworthiness of AI in critical defence operations. She emphasized that the framework is designed to address both operational needs and potential risks, offering a structured approach to the development and evaluation of AI technologies.

“The ETAI Framework ensures that AI systems are not only effective but also transparent and secure,” she said, adding that DRDO would play a pivotal role in its implementation and provide ongoing support to ensure the framework’s success.

Alongside the framework, the newly launched ETAI Guidelines offer specific measures to ensure that AI systems meet the established criteria for trustworthiness. These guidelines address every phase of the AI development pipeline—from conception to deployment—ensuring that AI technologies are rigorously tested for reliability, fairness, and security. They aim to help developers and evaluators build AI systems that can be trusted to perform reliably in high-stakes defence environments.

The ETAI Framework and Guidelines are expected to set new benchmarks for AI in the defence sector, ensuring that India’s armed forces are equipped with cutting-edge technologies that are not only advanced but also resilient and secure.