Actor highlights mental health impact of unchecked digital risks

In a passionate address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, actor and author Soha Ali Khan highlighted the urgent need for regulations in the technology sector. Speaking to an attentive audience, she emphasized that while artificial intelligence offers immense tools for growth, Soha Ali Khan on Ethical AI focuses heavily on the safety of women in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Khan reflected on the dual nature of India's digital transformation. On one hand, she praised how technology has democratized opportunities. From bustling metros to smaller regions where Odisha digital literacy is growing, women are using online platforms to build businesses, access education, and tell their stories with confidence. She noted that AI has successfully bridged gaps in healthcare and maternal aid, proving to be a powerful ally for empowerment.

However, the actor issued a stern warning about the darker side of this progress. "Digital world is not neutral. It reflects the society that builds it," Khan remarked. She pointed out that without checks and balances, technology amplifies existing societal inequalities. The rapid advancement of AI tools has made it easier and cheaper for bad actors to generate deepfakes, manipulate images, and impersonate individuals.

Khan stressed that these deepfake risks in India are not merely technical glitches but severe violations of human rights. "This is a mental health issue and a public health issue," she stated, noting that many women feel helpless when their personal data is misused.

Concluding her address, Khan argued that safety cannot be an afterthought. She called for a "safety by design" approach, demanding privacy by default and clear reporting systems. For Khan, implementing ethical AI safeguards is no longer optional—it is mandatory to ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of dignity and safety.

With Agency Inputs and Image Source: India Forums