Prime Minister Narendra Modi,co-chairing the AI Action Summit in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasized the profound impact of artificial intelligence on polity, economy, security, and society. Highlighting the transformative power of AI, Modi called for a global framework that upholds shared values, builds trust, and ensures equitable access, particularly for the Global South. He proposed India as the host for the next AI Summit, a move that was readily accepted, signaling India’s growing leadership in the global AI landscape. S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, confirmed the development, noting India’s preparedness to lead discussions on AI governance and innovation.
In his address, Modi underlined the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of AI, stressing the need for international collaboration to establish governance standards that ensure safety, transparency, and inclusivity. He advocated for open-source systems to foster transparency and called for creating unbiased data sets to avoid systemic prejudices. “AI is writing the code for humanity in this century. But it is different from other technological milestones due to its unprecedented scale and speed of adoption,” he stated. Modi urged that governance frameworks should not only mitigate risks but also promote innovation for the global good.
Modi highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionize sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture, thereby accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goals. He emphasized the importance of democratizing technology, ensuring cybersecurity, and combating disinformation while tailoring AI solutions to local ecosystems for enhanced effectiveness. Addressing concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, Modi said, “Work does not disappear due to technology; it evolves. We must invest in skilling and re-skilling to prepare for an AI-driven future.” He also stressed the importance of sustainable AI, advocating for the use of green energy and efficient models to minimize resource consumption.
Citing India’s achievements in building a Digital Public Infrastructure for over 1.4 billion people, Modi showcased India’s progress in data empower
ment, digital commerce, and privacy protection. He noted that India is developing its own Large Language Model, leveraging its extensive AI talent pool and unique public-private partnerships to support startups and researchers. Modi called for a more inclusive ‘Global Partnership for AI’ that addresses the priorities and concerns of the Global South. He also praised France for launching the ‘AI Foundation’ and the ‘Council for Sustainable AI’ and assured India’s full support for these initiatives.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi held bilateral meetings with key global leaders, including US Vice-President J D Vance and Estonian President Alar Karis, discussing cybersecurity cooperation and strengthening international relations. Concluding the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “We are at the dawn of the AI age that will shape the course of humanity. The future of AI lies in our hands, and it is up to us to shape it responsibly for the good of all.” The AI Action Summit, which included ‘Science Days’ and a ‘Cultural Weekend,’ concluded with high-level discussions attended by global leaders, industry experts, and policymakers.