Sitharaman warns on AI misuse in cyberattacks and elections

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman raised concerns over the rapid development of advanced AI systems, including agentic AI and large language models, warning that misuse could heighten risks in cyberattacks and elections. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, she called for greater institutional accountability around AI safety as the technology becomes more capable and widely deployed.

Sitharaman also stressed that oversight should not undermine fintech innovation. Her remarks framed AI governance as a balancing act for policymakers: addressing emerging safety and misuse risks while allowing financial technology to continue developing. She also described India’s demographic dividend as an active reality.