On 4 February 2026, IGAP, in collaboration with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (SAM), convened a high-level panel titled “AI Cybersecurity Governance: Legal and Policy Solutions for India’s Digital Systems.” The session brought together regulators, industry leaders, technologists, and legal experts to examine how AI is reshaping India’s cybersecurity landscape. Moderated by Dedipyaman Shukla (IGAP) and Puneeth Nagaraj (SAM), the discussion opened with remarks by Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In, who highlighted the rising scale of AI-enabled threats, including LLM hijacking, supply chain compromises, AI-assisted phishing, and deepfake fraud. Speakers including Vinayak Godse (Data Security Council of India), Kshitij Bathla (Bureau of Indian Standards), representatives from IBM, Wiz, Amazon EU, and Coca-Cola, along with legal and policy experts, emphasized AI’s dual-use nature as both a risk multiplier and a powerful tool for detection, red teaming, and automated threat response. The conversation framed AI governance as a challenge that spans technology, law, and political economy, requiring balance between innovation, national security, and user protection. Key deliberations focused on regulatory capacity, standardization, and accountability. Participants discussed whether existing frameworks, including India’s IT Act and data protection regime, can address emerging AI risks or whether more targeted interventions are needed. Participants also reflected on international regulatory developments, including the EU Cyber Resilience Act and AI Act, to consider what lessons might be relevant for India’s context. The conversation closed with broad agreement that addressing cybersecurity in the AI era demands more than policy reform. Strong institutions, informed stakeholders, and ongoing cooperation across government, industry, and civil society will be essential to building secure and adaptable digital systems.