India's AI Cybersecurity: New Plan Needed for Frontier Threats

India needs a new cybersecurity plan to address the growing threats from frontier AI. The country now holds nearly 20 percent of the world's digital data, making it a significant target for cybercriminals. AI is making cyberattacks faster, cheaper, and more sophisticated, impacting sectors like banking, telecommunications, and healthcare. Criminals use AI for convincing phishing emails, deepfake videos, and sophisticated malware. The government is considering a separate regulatory framework for AI due to these new risks. While initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission and strengthening CERT-In are in place, current efforts are fragmented. A dedicated mechanism is needed to anticipate AI-related cyber risks and coordinate responses across agencies. This is crucial for defending India's large digital ecosystem against increasingly sophisticated threats.