Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris on Tuesday, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in areas such as health, agriculture, and education. He underscored that AI can accelerate the journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and called for global collaboration to pool resources and talent to advance AI technologies.
During his speech at the AI Action Summit, PM Modi stated, “AI has the power to transform millions of lives by enhancing sectors like health, education, and agriculture. It can create a world where the path to sustainable development is faster and more efficient. However, to realize this potential, we must unite resources and talent from across the globe. We need to develop open-source systems that foster trust and transparency.”
He further emphasized the importance of building quality, unbiased data sets, democratizing technology, and developing applications that are people-centric. The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to address challenges like cyber security, disinformation, and deepfakes. Additionally, he stressed that technology must be deeply rooted in local ecosystems for it to be effective and impactful.
On the concern of AI-induced job loss, PM Modi acknowledged that while job displacement is a feared disruption, history has shown that technology does not eliminate jobs, but instead reshapes them, creating new types of work. He urged investment in skill development and reskilling to prepare people for an AI-driven future.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for hosting the summit and inviting him to co-chair the event. He noted that AI is developing at an unprecedented speed and scale, reshaping economies, security, and societies across the globe.
“I am grateful to my friend President Macron for inviting me to co-chair this summit,” said PM Modi. “AI is already reshaping our polity, economy, security, and society. It is writing the code for humanity in this century. However, unlike previous technological milestones, AI is evolving faster and being deployed more rapidly, creating a deep interdependence across borders.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of collective global efforts in establishing governance structures and standards that uphold shared values, address risks, and build trust. He emphasized that governance should not only focus on managing conflicts but also on promoting innovation and ensuring access to technology for all, particularly in the Global South, where resources such as computing power, talent, and data are often scarce.
“There is a need for collective global efforts to establish governance that reflects our shared values,” PM Modi said. “Governance is also about ensuring that innovation benefits everyone, especially in the Global South, where capabilities are lacking in areas like computing, power, talent, and data. It is crucial that we work together to bridge these gaps and ensure that AI serves the global good.”
The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating the need for an inclusive approach to AI development, one that benefits all nations and communities across the world.
