NEW DELHI, Oct. 28 -- Six months after the Centre proposed an amendment to regulate artificial intelligence-generated content on social media, policymakers are discussing if such oversight should begin even earlier-by defining AI intermediaries and how they differ from other online platforms.

While the jury is still out on the need for a standalone AI law, lawyers and Big Tech firms have made representations to India's ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) and policy whitepapers have been submitted on why AI intermediaries need a separate definition that differs clearly from India's social media intermediary rules, Mint has learnt.

IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said 8 October that his ministry would release a consultation paper for a de...