New Delhi, July 29 -- The government on Wednesday informed Parliament that whether generative AI systems, including chatbot-based AI services, fall within the definition of an intermediary under the IT Act, will depend on the nature of the service it provides and the functions it performs.

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said the Information Technology Act is a technology-neutral legislation, and its provisions apply to computer resources and intermediaries irrespective of the underlying technology, including AI.

"Whether a particular AI system or service falls within the definition of an 'intermediary' under section 2(1)(w) of the IT Act and is eligible...