Govt's AI-against-AI strategy: How will it strengthen India's digital public infrastructure?

India is reportedly considering an "AI-against-AI" approach to strengthen its digital public infrastructure (DPI), reflecting growing concerns about the risks posed by increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems. As AI becomes embedded across payments, identity verification, public services and governance platforms, policymakers are exploring how AI itself can be used to detect, prevent and respond to emerging threats.
The move comes at a time when Anthropic has claimed that its latest advanced generative AI model, Claude Mythos, has the potential to locate dormant vulnerabilities hidden in decades-old code and exploit them. Let’s explore more on this topic

What does 'AI-against-AI' mean?

 The concept refers to deploying artificial intelligence systems to identify and counter risks created by other AI systems. As AI tools become capable of generating convincing deepfakes, automating cyberattacks, creating synthetic identities and manipulating digital content, governments and organisations are looking at AI-powered defence mechanisms that can operate at scale and in real time. In essence, the idea is to use AI as both a shield and a watchdog in an increasingly AI-driven digital ecosystem.

Why is the government exploring this approach?

India's digital public infrastructure now supports billions of transactions and interactions every month through platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI and DigiLocker. The scale of these systems makes them attractive targets for fraudsters and cybercriminals. At the same time, advances in generative AI have lowered the barriers to creating fake identities, impersonating individuals and automating malicious activities. Policymakers believe that traditional monitoring systems may not be sufficient to tackle these challenges, making AI-enabled defence tools an increasingly important part of the security architecture.

How could AI-against-AI work in practice?

In practical terms, AI systems could continuously monitor digital networks, transactions and user activity to detect patterns that indicate fraud, cyberattacks or manipulation. For instance, AI could identify whether a video has been altered using deepfake technology, flag suspicious financial transactions before they are completed, or detect attempts to use synthetic identities to access government services. Because these systems can analyse vast amounts of data much faster than humans, they could help authorities respond to threats more quickly and effectively.

Why is this significant for India's digital public infrastructure?

Digital public infrastructure has become a cornerstone of India's digital economy and governance model. These platforms are designed to operate at a population scale, serving hundreds of millions of citizens and businesses. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into public services, the consequences of misuse or security breaches could become more severe. An AI-driven defence framework is therefore being viewed as a way to maintain trust, resilience and reliability across critical digital systems.

How is the government strengthening  these cyber defences across India's financial system?

The finance ministry, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have formed a task force to bolster India's cyber defence framework. As part of the effort, the RBI and the finance ministry are engaging with banks to strengthen their IT infrastructure and encourage proactive safeguards aimed at protecting financial systems and digital assets from evolving cyber threats.

Is this linked to India's broader AI ambitions?

Yes. The proposal aligns with the government's broader efforts to build AI capabilities through initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission. Policymakers increasingly view AI not only as a driver of economic growth and innovation but also as a critical component of digital infrastructure. The emphasis is gradually shifting from simply enabling AI adoption to ensuring that AI systems are secure, accountable and trustworthy.

What benefits could such a model deliver?

Supporters argue that an AI-against-AI framework could significantly improve the government's ability to detect threats before they cause harm. It could strengthen cybersecurity, reduce fraud, improve the integrity of digital services and help public institutions respond to emerging risks more efficiently. Given the sheer scale of India's digital ecosystem, automated monitoring and response mechanisms may become essential rather than optional.

Are there concerns about this approach?

While the idea offers potential benefits, it also raises important questions around governance and accountability. Experts caution that AI systems used for monitoring and enforcement must themselves be transparent and subject to oversight. There are concerns about the risk of false positives, algorithmic bias and excessive surveillance if safeguards are not clearly defined. As a result, any AI-driven defence framework would likely need strong governance mechanisms to ensure public trust.

What does this signal about the future of digital governance?

The proposal reflects a broader shift in thinking about technology governance. As AI becomes both a source of innovation and a source of risk, governments around the world are increasingly likely to rely on AI tools to regulate, monitor and secure digital ecosystems. For India, the AI-against-AI approach suggests that the next phase of digital public infrastructure will focus not only on expanding access and functionality but also on ensuring that these systems remain secure and resilient in an era of intelligent machines.