PM Modi co-chairs AI Summit in France: Why it matters and what it means for India

PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron gesture on the day of a meeting with international investors in IA at Elysee Palace as part of the AI Action Summit in Paris. (Courtesy: Reuters photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chairing the AI Action Summit in Paris highlights India's leadership in global AI governance and ethical AI development. His participation as a co-chair marks a major milestone in India's AI leadership. This Summit follows the UK's AI Safety Summit (2023) and South Korea’s AI Seoul Summit (2024), reinforcing India's commitment to shaping global AI governance.

India is co-chairing the AI Governance theme alongside France and Canada, highlighting its growing influence in global AI policy, ethics, and regulation. With AI transforming industries and economies worldwide, India’s leadership role places it at the heart of discussions on ethical AI development, AI safety, and responsible deployment.

What it means for India

Strengthening India's AI Leadership: India is already a leader in AI research, innovation, and policy development. Co-chairing this global forum solidifies India's position as a thought leader in AI governance, allowing it to push for a more inclusive and equitable AI landscape.

Promoting the IndiaAI Mission: The Rs 10,371-crore IndiaAI Mission is a key part of India's AI roadmap, aiming to democratize AI innovation. India’s role in this summit enables it to promote initiatives such as:

1. AI compute infrastructure with 10,000+ GPUs to support AI startups and research.

2. Indigenous AI models tailored to India's needs.

3. AI for public welfare, focusing on education, healthcare, and governance.

Bridging the Global AI Divide: India is pushing for AI accessibility for developing nations, ensuring that AI benefits are shared equitably and not concentrated in a few countries. India’s stance on Global South priorities will play a crucial role in making AI governance more inclusive.

Fostering Global AI Cooperation: As the 2024 chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), India has been at the forefront of AI ethics and safety. This Summit will provide an opportunity to strengthen multilateral cooperation on AI, particularly with G7, G20, UN, and OECD forums.

Opportunities for Indian AI Startups and Tech Sectors: The Summit will showcase AI-driven innovations, providing Indian AI startups with global exposure and investment opportunities. The discussions on the Future of Work, AI in public interest, and Trust in AI will help shape policies that support India’s growing AI economy.

India's participation in the AI Action Summit goes beyond policy discussions—it is a strategic move to position India as a global AI powerhouse. By leading the charge on AI governance, ethical AI, and inclusive AI policies, India is not just shaping its AI future but also playing a key role in shaping global AI development.

This Summit presents an opportunity for India to drive responsible AI adoption, expand its AI research ecosystem, and push for an AI framework that aligns with its technological ambitions and socio-economic goals.