Legal frameworks designed for intermediary platforms are ill-suited to governance of generative AI systems. Assess the limitations of India’s existing digital liability regime. Discuss the implications for accountability in cases of AI-generated harm.

Topic: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Q3. Legal frameworks designed for intermediary platforms are ill-suited to governance of generative AI systems. Assess the limitations of India’s existing digital liability regime. Discuss the implications for accountability in cases of AI-generated harm. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question
Generative AI has fundamentally altered how digital content is created, challenging intermediary-centric liability frameworks and exposing accountability gaps in India’s digital governance architecture.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires examining why existing legal frameworks governing intermediaries are inadequate for generative AI systems and analysing the implications of these limitations for fixing accountability in cases of AI-generated harm.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly contextualise India’s digital liability regime as a product of the passive-intermediary era and highlight how generative AI disrupts this regulatory logic.

Body

  • Bring out how generative AI differs from traditional intermediaries by actively generating content rather than merely hosting or transmitting it.
  • Indicate the major limitations in India’s existing digital liability framework in addressing platform responsibility for AI-generated outputs.
  • Explain the accountability consequences of these gaps, particularly for victim remedies, enforcement clarity, and protection of constitutional rights.

Conclusion
End by emphasising the need for evolving India’s digital liability framework towards clearer platform responsibility while balancing innovation and rights.