Governments should work towards democratising technology, says PM Modi at AI summit

PM Modi

Speaking at the artificial intelligence (AI) Summit in France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the evolving nature of AI technology and the need for a concerted attempt by national governments to work collectively to tap into its multiple benefits. The Prime Minister stressed that there is an urgent need to democratise technology and ensure people-centric applications of such evolving technologies.

The two-day Paris Summit, which kicked off on Monday, aims to achieve three major objectives: Provide access to independent, safe and reliable AI to a wide range of users; develop AI that is more environmentally friendly; and ensure global governance of artificial intelligence that is both effective and inclusive.

Speaking on the need for global powers to work collectively in order to tap into the benefits of AI, PM Modi said: “AI is developing at an unprecedented scale and speed and being adapted and deployed even faster. There is also a deep interdependence across borders. Therefore, there is a need for collective global efforts to establish governance and standards that upload our shared values, address risks, and build trust. But governance is not just about managing rifts and rivalries. It is also about promoting innovation and deploying it for the global good. So we must think deeply and discuss openly about innovation and governance.”

PM Modi embarked on a three-day trip to France where he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to co-chair the AI Action Summit. The two world leaders will engage in bilateral discussions and interact with business leaders.

The AI Action Summit is bringing together global leaders and tech CEOs to discuss the future of AI. The summit aims to promote cooperation on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies, which may prove pivotal in shaping the future of the global economy. The previous editions of the AI Summit were held in the UK in 2023 and then in South Korea in 2024.