Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has said that Artificial intelligence can significantly change how telecom networks are managed, but human oversight must remain in place as systems become more autonomous
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Cellular Operators Association of India’s (COAI) ‘Powering India’s Intelligent Connectivity Future’, Lahoti said AI is already helping operators forecast demand, optimise resources and identify network problems faster. But he said companies must also prepare for situations where automated decisions go wrong.
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AI in Telecom Needs Safeguards and Human Control
Lahoti said operators and technology companies should invest in responsible AI, conduct risk assessments, maintain decision logs and test systems before deployment.
“High-impact systems should retain human oversight, auditability and the ability to intervene,” he said.
He also warned that greater automation must not create a new single point of failure. Networks should be able to keep operating if an AI-dependent function becomes unavailable, while incorrect automated decisions should be quickly overridden.
For consumers, he said trust would depend on reliability, transparency, security, fair treatment and effective redress when something goes wrong.
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AI Can Fight Scams, but Misuse Can Raise New Risks
TRAI Chairman further highlighted the growing role of AI in detecting online fraud and scams.
AI can identify unusual patterns and threats, but poorly used systems could also make harmful activity more sophisticated.
Automated risk systems therefore need suitable thresholds, safeguards and review mechanisms. Wrongly flagging a legitimate consumer, business or communication could result in service disruption, reputational damage or denial of access.
He called for closer coordination between telecom operators, digital platforms, businesses, financial institutions, government and law-enforcement agencies. He said information sharing should be purpose-specific, proportionate, and protected against misuse.
Lahoti said AI regulation should focus on outcomes and risks rather than excessive prescription or waiting for problems to emerge. Consumer impact, accountability, security, reviewability and grievance redress should guide regulation.
He also backed technology-neutral rules, common standards and interoperability. AI-powered multilingual and voice-based assistance, he said, could help consumers receive contextual warnings when they encounter suspicious interactions.
For India’s next phase of digital growth, Lahoti said the focus should not only be on connecting more people, but on doing so intelligently, securely, inclusively and responsibly.
TRAI’s direction is clear: India’s telecom AI push will be judged not only by how autonomous networks become, but by how reliably operators keep humans in control when those systems fail or make the wrong call.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
