Introduction and Brief Analysis

A movie named “The Artifice Girl” portrayed A law enforcement agency developing an AI-based personification of a 12-year-old girl who appears to be exactly like a real person. Believing her to be an actual girl, perpetrators of child sexual exploitation were caught attempting to seek sexual favours. The movie showed how AI aided law enforcement, but the reality is that the emergence of Artificial Intelligence has posed numerous challenges in multiple directions. This example illustrates both the promise and the complexity of using AI in sensitive areas like law enforcement, where technological innovation must be carefully balanced with ethical and legal considerations.

Detection and Protection tools are constantly competing with technologies that generate content, automate grooming and challenge legal boundaries. Such technological advancements have provided enough ground for the proliferation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). Also known as child pornography under Section 2 (da) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, it defined it as - “means any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child which includes a photograph, video, digital or computer-generated image indistinguishable from an actual child and image created, adapted, or modified, but appears to depict a child.”

Artificial Intelligence is a category of technologies that attempt to shape human thoughts and behaviours using input algorithms and datasets. Two Primary applications can be considered in the context of CSEAM: classifiers and content generators. Classifiers are programs that learn from large data sets, which may be labelled or unlabelled and further classify what is restricted or illegal. Whereas generative AI is also trained on large datasets, it uses that knowledge to create new things. Majority of current AI research related to AI for CSEAM is done by the use of Artificial neural networks (ANNs), a type of AI that can be trained to identify unusual connections between items (classification) and to generate unique combinations of items (e.g., elements of a picture) based on the training data used.

Current Legal Landscape

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The legal Landscape in terms of AI is yet unclear and evolving, with different nations trying to track the evolution of AI and develop laws. However, some laws directly address CSEAM. The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) combats Illegal sexual content involving children. They have a “Model Legislation” for setting recommended sanctions/sentencing. According to research performed in 2018, Illegal sexual content involving children is illegal in 118 of the 196 Interpol member states. This figure represents countries that have sufficient legislation in place to meet 4 or 5 of the 5 criteria defined by the ICMEC.

CSEAM in India can be reported on various portals like the ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal’. Online crimes related to children, including CSEAM, can be reported to this portal by visiting cybercrime.gov.in. This portal allows anonymous reporting, automatic FIR registration and tracking of your complaint. ‘I4C Sahyog Portal’ is another platform managed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This portal integrates with social media platforms.

The Indian legal front for AI is evolving and CSEAM is well addressed in Indian laws and through judicial pronouncements. The Supreme Court judgement on Alliance and Anr v S Harish and ors is a landmark in this regard. The following principles were highlighted in this judgment.

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• The term “child pornography” should be substituted by “Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material” (CSEAM) and shall not be used for any further judicial proceeding, order, or judgment. Also, parliament should amend the same in POCSO and instead, the term CSEAM should be endorsed.
• Parliament to consider amending Section 15 (1) of POCSO to make it more convenient for the general public to report by way of an online portal.
• Implementing sex education programs to give young people a clear understanding of consent and the consequences of exploitation. To help prevent Problematic sexual behaviour (PSB), schools should teach students about consent, healthy relationships and appropriate behaviour.
• Support services to the victims and rehabilitation programs for the offenders are essential.
• Early identification of at-risk individuals and implementation of intervention strategies for youth.

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Distinctive Challenges

According to a report by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a significant number of reports about child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) are linked to perpetrators based outside the country. This highlights major challenges related to jurisdiction and anonymity in addressing such crimes. Since the issue concerns children and considering the cross-border nature of the internet and the emergence of AI, Nations across the globe need to come together to solve this matter. Delays in the extradition procedure and irregular legal processes across the jurisdictions hinder the apprehension of offenders and the delivery of justice to victims.

CyberPeace Recommendations

For effective regulation of AI-generated CSEAM, laws are required to be strengthened for AI developers and trainers to prevent misuse of their tools. AI should be designed with its ethical considerations, ensuring respect for privacy, consent and child rights. There can be a self-regulation mechanism for AI models to recognise and restrict red flags related to CSEAM and indicate grooming or potential abuse.

A distinct Indian CSEAM reporting portal is urgently needed, as cybercrimes are increasing throughout the nation. Depending on the integrated portal may lead to ignorance of AI-based CSEAM cases. This would result in faster response and focused tracking. Since AI-generated content is detectable. The portal should also include an automated AI-content detection system linked directly to law enforcement for swift action.

Furthermore, International cooperation is of utmost importance to win the battle of AI-enabled challenges and to fill the jurisdictional gaps. A united global effort is required. Using a common technology and unified international laws is essential to tackle AI-driven child sexual exploitation across borders and protect children everywhere. CSEAM is an extremely serious issue. Children are among the most vulnerable to such harmful content. This threat must be addressed without delay, through stronger policies, dedicated reporting mechanisms and swift action to protect children from exploitation.

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References:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950193824000433?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=94efffff09e95975
• https://aasc.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/aasc_webcomindia_org_oi d_4/portlet/level_2/pocso_act.pdf
• https://www.manupatracademy.com/assets/pdf/legalpost/just-rights-for-children-alliance-and-anr-vs-s‍harish-and-ors.pdfhttps://www.icmec.org‍https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/generative-ai

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At Semicon India 2025 held recently, the Prime Minister declared, “when the chips are down, you can bet on India”.  The event showcased the country’s first indigenous microprocessor, Vikram, developed by ISRO’s Semiconductor Lab, and announced that commercial chip production will begin by the end of 2025. India aims to become a global player in semiconductor production, and build self-reliance in a world where global supply chains are shifting rapidly. 

Why Semiconductors Matter

Semiconductors power almost everything around us, from laptops and air conditioners to cars and even the tiniest gadget we hardly notice . They’ve rightly been called the “oil of the digital age” because our entire digital world depends on them. But the global supply chain for chips is heavily concentrated. Taiwan alone makes over 60% of the world’s semiconductors and nearly 90% of the most advanced ones. Rising tensions between China and Taiwan have only shown how fragile and risky this dependence can be for the rest of the world. For India, building its own semiconductor base is not just about technology, it is about economic security and reduced dependence on imports.

India’s Push: The Numbers and Projects

The government has committed nearly US$18 billion across 10 projects, making it one of the country’s largest industrial bets in decades. Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, ₹76,000 crore (about US$9.1 billion) was set aside, of which most has already been allocated.

Key developments include:

• Vikram processor – developed at ISRO’s Semiconductor Lab, fabricated on 180nm technology.
• CG Power facility in Sanand, Gujarat – launched in 2024, scaling chip assembly and testing.
• Micron’s investment – ₹22,500+ crore in Gujarat for packaging and testing.
• Tata Electronics–PSMC partnership – ₹91,000 crore tie-up with Taiwan’s Powerchip for fabs.

The domestic market, valued at US$38 billion in 2023, is expected to touch US$100–110 billion by 2030 if growth sustains.

The Technology Gap

While the Vikram chip, a 32 bit microprocessor, is a proud milestone, it highlights the technology gap  India faces. The chip was fabricated using a 180nm CMOS process, a process that was cutting-edge back in the early 2000s. Today, companies like TSMC and Samsung are already producing 3nm chips for smartphones and AI servers, whereas those like Nvidia and Apple have developed chips 2ith 64-bit processing capabilities.

This means India's main focus, to become self-reliant in the mature end of the spectrum useful for space, defense, and automotives and electronics, is far from the global cutting edge. Bridging this gap will require both time and deep technical expertise.

Talent and Design Strengths

On the positive side, India already contributes around 20% of global semiconductor design talent. Two advanced design centers—one in Noida and another in Bengaluru—are working on 3nm designs. The government’s Design Linked Incentive scheme has cleared 20+ projects to nurture startups in chip design.

Over 60,000 engineers have been trained under various programs, but scaling this to the hundreds of thousands needed for fabs remains a challenge. Unlike software development, semiconductor fabrication demands highly specialised skills in process engineering, yield optimization, and supply chain logistics.

Lessons from Global Players

Countries like Taiwan, South Korea, and the US didn’t build their chip industries overnight. Taiwan’s TSMC spent decades and billions of dollars mastering yield rates and building trust with clients. The US recently passed the CHIPS and Science Act to revive domestic production, while the EU has its own Chips Act. Japan, too, has pledged billions, including ¥10 trillion in cooperation with India.

These examples show that success depends not just on funding , but also on harmony between government and private players, consistent execution, ecosystem building, and global partnerships.

The Challenges Ahead

India’s ambitions face several hurdles:

• Capital intensity – A single leading-edge fab costs US$10–20 billion, and requires constant upgrades.
• Supply chain complexity – Hundreds of chemicals, gases, and precision tools are needed, many of which India doesn’t yet produce domestically.
• Technology transfer – Advanced lithography machines (from ASML in the Netherlands, for example) are tightly controlled and not easily available.
• Execution risks – Moving from announcements to commercially viable fabs with competitive yields is where many countries have stumbled.

The Way Forward

India has big ambitions in the field of semi-conductor design and manufacturing, with the goal of becoming a major  global exporter instead of importer. The country appears to be adopting a step-by-step approach, starting with assembly, testing, and mature-node fabs, while simultaneously investing in design, research, and talent. Every successful global power in this industry first mastered older nodes before advancing to cutting-edge levels.

At the same time, international collaborations with players like Micron, Tata-PSMC, and Japan will be critical for technology transfer and capacity building. If India can combine its engineering talent, rising domestic demand, and government backing with the PLI scheme, and drive global collaborations, the outlook can be promising. 

Conclusion

India’s semiconductor story is just beginning, but the direction is clear. The Vikram processor and investment announcement at Semicon 2025 shows the intent of the government. The hard part now lies ahead: moving from prototypes to large-scale production and globally competitive fabs in an industry that demands substantial investment, flawless execution, and years of patience.

Yet the stakes couldn’t be higher. Semiconductors will shape the future of economies and national security . If India plays its cards right by nurturing talent, innovating and researching, and driving global partnerships,  the dream of becoming a global semiconductor hub may well move from ambition to reality.

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References 

• https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/when-chips-are-down-bet-on-india-pm-narendra-modis-big-semiconductor-push-6539317 
• https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/what-is-vikram-32-bit-chip-presented-to-pm-modi-at-semicon-india-2025-2780582-2025-09-02#
• https://www.visionofhumanity.org/the-worlds-dependency-on-taiwans-semiconductor-industry-is-increasing/ 
• https://m.economictimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/tata-electronics-and-powerchip-semiconductor-manufacturing-corporation-to-build-indias-first-semiconductor-fab/articleshow/113694273.cms 
• https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/10-trillion-yen-in-10-years-japan-pledges-big-investment-in-india-125082901564_1.html 
• https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/06/vulnerabilities-in-the-semiconductor-supply-chain_f4de7491/6bed616f-en.pdf 
• https://techwireasia.com/2025/09/semiconductor-india-commercial-production-2025/ 

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Introduction

Today, on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we honour the brave individuals who risk their lives to uphold peace in the world’s most fragile and conflict-ridden regions. These peacekeepers are symbols of hope, diplomacy, and resilience. But as the world changes, so do the arenas of conflict. In today’s interconnected age, peace and safety are no longer confined to physical spaces—they extend to the digital realm. As we commemorate their service, we must also reflect on the new frontlines of peacekeeping: the internet, where misinformation, cyberattacks, and digital hate threaten stability every day.

The Legacy of UN Peacekeepers

Since 1948, UN Peacekeepers have served in over 70 missions, protecting civilians, facilitating political processes, and rebuilding societies. From conflict zones in Africa to the Balkans, they’ve worked in the toughest terrains to keep the peace. Their role is built on neutrality, integrity, and international cooperation. But as hybrid warfare becomes more prominent and digital threats increasingly influence real-world violence, the peacekeeping mandate must evolve. Traditional missions are now accompanied by the need to understand and respond to digital disruptions that can escalate local tensions or undermine democratic institutions.

The Digital Battlefield

In recent years, we’ve seen how misinformation, deepfakes, online radicalisation, and coordinated cyberattacks can destabilise peace processes. Disinformation campaigns can polarise communities, hinder humanitarian efforts, and provoke violence. Peacekeepers now face the added challenge of navigating conflict zones where digital tools are weaponised. The line between physical and virtual conflict is blurring. Cybersecurity has gone beyond being just a technical issue and is now a peace and security issue as well. From securing communication systems to monitoring digital hate speech that could incite violence, peacekeeping must now include digital vigilance and strategic digital diplomacy.

Building a Culture of Peace Online

Safeguarding peace today also means protecting people from harm in the digital space. Governments, tech companies, civil society, and international organisations must come together to build digital resilience. This includes investing in digital literacy, combating online misinformation, and protecting human rights in cyberspace. Peacekeepers may not wear blue helmets online, but their spirit lives on in every effort to make the internet a safer, kinder, and more truthful place. The role of youth, educators, and responsible digital citizens has never been more crucial. A culture of peace must be cultivated both offline and online.

Conclusion: A Renewed Pledge for Peace

On this UN Peacekeepers’ Day, let us not only honour those who have served and sacrificed but also renew our commitment to peace in all its dimensions. The world’s conflicts are evolving, and so must our response. As we support peacekeepers on the ground, let’s also become peacebuilders in the digital world, amplifying truth, rejecting hate, and building safer, inclusive communities online. Peace today is not just about silencing guns but also silencing disinformation. The call for peace is louder than ever. Let’s answer it, both offline and online.