Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France to attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit on February 10-11, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday, according to Reuters.
Speaking at the 30th Conference of Ambassadors, Macron said, “France will be hosting the AI Summit on February 10-11, a summit for action. This event will facilitate an international conversation on AI. Prime Minister Modi’s participation will mark a significant visit, reflecting our aim to engage in dialogue with global powers on AI.”
President Macron underscored the importance of a global dialogue on AI, highlighting the participation of key nations like the United States, China, India, and Gulf countries, which play pivotal roles in the development and regulation of AI technologies.
“The US, China, and emerging powers like India, along with the Gulf nations, have a crucial role to play,” Macron said.
He also stressed the summit’s objective of positioning France and Europe at the forefront of AI innovation, focusing on talent attraction and fostering public interest.
“Beyond the conversation, we aim to advance public interest by setting up foundations for innovation and talent, placing France and Europe at the heart of the global AI landscape,” he added.
The French Presidency confirmed India’s invitation to the AI Action Summit in December, recognizing India as a “very important country” in the AI space. A press briefing revealed that 90 countries, including India, had been invited to the summit.
“We are collaborating closely with India in preparation for the summit. Themes such as misinformation and AI misuse will be key topics,” the French Presidency stated.
“India has immense potential to make a concrete impact on people’s lives. We look forward to India’s contributions to the summit’s discussions,” it added.
The summit will take place at the Grand Palais in Paris, bringing together heads of state, leaders of international organisations, CEOs, academics, artists, and members of civil society. Discussions will center around five key themes:
- Public interest in AI
- The future of work
- Innovation and culture
- Trust in AI
- Global AI governance
Addressing challenges like disinformation and the misuse of AI will be central to the discussions.
On February 10, various sessions will involve heads of state, government representatives, and other stakeholders. That evening, President Macron will host a formal dinner for participating leaders and dignitaries.
The following day, February 11, a dedicated leaders’ session exclusively for heads of state will conclude the summit.
This event is expected to shape the global discourse on AI, emphasizing international cooperation, innovation, and the responsible use of AI technologies.