UK and COAI sign MoU to deepen AI and communications collaboration

The UK government and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, digital trust and responsible technology-led innovation.

The agreement was announced at CO.AI 2026, a conference jointly organised by COAI and the UK government in New Delhi. Ben Mellor, Chargé d'Affaires at the British High Commission to India, said the two sides would work together to improve collaboration around AI communications.

Mellor said both sides recognise the importance of firm regulation to ensure good collaboration, adding that addressing common problems jointly offers a better chance of solving them.

COAI Director General S.P. Kochhar said the partnership with the British High Commission would bring an international perspective to challenges that are common across countries. He said the collaboration could help develop solutions with wider global acceptance.

Explaining the rationale, Kochhar said communication and artificial intelligence add value to each other, a point recognised by both COAI and the British High Commission. He said the MoU was the outcome of several months of discussions aimed at making the partnership actionable and delivering results for the industry in India, the UK and globally.

COAI represents major telecom service providers and telecom equipment vendors in India.