Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 20: Tech giant Google on Thursday announced an India-centric AI safety roadmap that places vulnerable groups — including children, teenagers and senior citizens — at the heart of its digital-protection strategy.

The company introduced a suite of new tools and initiatives, ranging from real-time scam detection on smartphones to advanced watermarking for AI-generated text, alongside major investments in cyber safety and academic research.

Real-Time Scam Protection on Pixel Devices

Google’s new on-device Scam Detection system, powered by Gemini Nano, will debut on Pixel phones.

The feature analyses calls from unknown numbers in real time and alerts users if a conversation appears suspicious — all directly on the device without recording audio or sending any data to Google’s servers.

The tool is optional, launches with the feature turned off by default, and issues an audible beep during analysis to inform all participants. Users retain full control and can disable the feature at any time.

Watermarking AI Content for Transparency

To support global efforts to identify AI-generated media, Google is expanding access to its SynthID detection technology.
As part of this move, SynthID’s text watermarking tool will now be open-sourced through Google’s Responsible GenAI Toolkit, helping partners authenticate AI-created images, audio and text more easily.

Cyber-Safety Funding and Research Grants

Google announced a Rs 1.6 crore ($200,000) grant to the CyberPeace Foundation to bolster cyber-defence capabilities in India. The funding will support AI-driven tools aimed at detecting fraud, safeguarding young internet users, and promoting responsible AI governance aligned with the IndiaAI Mission.

Additionally, the company committed $1 million to five academic institutions and think tanks across the Asia-Pacific region to advance research and public dialogue on AI’s societal impact.

‘Safety at the Core of India’s AI Shift’

“In India, where the digital economy is booming, we are building AI systems designed to preserve user trust as the country moves deeper into AI adoption,” said Evan Kotsovinos, Google’s Vice President for Privacy, Safety and Security.

Preeti Lobana, Google India’s Country Manager, said the company is adopting a “360-degree approach to safety” that blends in-product protections, cloud security measures and nationwide digital-literacy initiatives.