Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Address at the Global AI Summit in Paris

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a compelling address at a global AI summit held in Paris recently, where he emphasised the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in daily life.

His speech highlighted both the immense opportunities AI presents and the pressing concerns surrounding its use, particularly for the Global South. He called for a collective approach to AI development that prioritises fairness, transparency and sustainability while ensuring it remains people-centric.

AI for All: Bridging the Digital Divide

PM Modi stressed that AI should not remain the privilege of a few but should be harnessed to benefit the entire world, particularly developing nations. He advocated for open-source AI systems that enhance trust and transparency while mitigating the risks of bias.

“We must pull together our resources and talent and develop open-source systems that enhance trust and transparency and develop quality datasets, free from biases, in order to benefit the world. AI must be about people-centric applications,” he stated.

He also raised concerns regarding cyber security, misinformation, and deepfakes, urging global collaboration to counter these challenges. AI, he noted, must be wielded responsibly to prevent its misuse and uphold democratic values.

AI in Healthcare, Education and Sustainable Development

PM Modi underscored AI?s potential to transform key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and science. He spoke about AI?s role in making sustainable development goals more achievable, speeding up progress in areas that affect millions of lives. “AI can help create a world in which the journey to sustainable development goals becomes easier and faster,” he remarked.

He emphasised that for AI to be truly effective, it must be deeply rooted in local ecosystems. Localised AI models that account for linguistic, cultural and societal diversity, he said, would make technology more inclusive and beneficial for all.

The Concern over Job Losses and AI?s Impact on Employment

One of the major concerns surrounding AI is its potential impact on employment, with fears of job losses growing as AI systems become more advanced. PM Modi acknowledged these concerns but reassured that technology has historically altered the nature of jobs rather than eliminating them entirely.

“The nature of jobs changes with time and new types of jobs are created,” he said, adding that investments in skilling and reskilling are crucial to preparing people for an AI-driven future.

He stressed the need for governments and industries to work together to train the workforce, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-powered world. “We need to invest heavily in skilling and re-skilling of our people for an AI-driven future,” he said.

AI and Sustainability: The Need for Green Energy

PM Modi highlighted AI?s energy consumption as an area of concern, stating that AI must evolve to become more energy-efficient. He compared AI?s high energy demands to the human brain?s remarkable efficiency, saying, “A human brain can do everything from poetry to complex mathematics at a fraction of the energy needed even by an ordinary light bulb. That is what the AI revolution must aim for.”

He pointed to India?s leadership in green energy, mentioning the International Solar Alliance co-founded with France, which aims to ensure an ample supply of renewable energy for future technologies. AI must be built on a foundation of sustainability, he argued, to prevent an unsustainable rise in energy consumption.

India?s Leadership in AI Innovation

PM Modi highlighted India?s rapid advances in AI, stating that the country has successfully built digital public infrastructure for more than 1.4 billion people at a remarkably low cost.

“India has successfully built a digital public infrastructure for more than 1.4 billion people at a very low cost,” he said, noting that this open and accessible network has transformed governance and modernised the economy.

He pointed out that India?s national AI mission is built on democratic digital access, ensuring technology benefits all, rather than a privileged few. “India has built an AI mission for good, and for all.

Today, India leads in AI adoption and techno-legal solutions on data privacy. We are constantly developing AI applications for public good,” he said.

India is also developing its own large language model in AI, keeping in mind the country?s linguistic and cultural diversity. PM Modi reiterated that India has one of the world?s largest AI talent pools and is leveraging a public-private partnership model for AI development.

“India is willing to share its experience and expertise to ensure that the future of AI is for everyone on the planet,” he stated, reinforcing India’s commitment to global AI collaboration.

The AI Action Summit and Future Collaboration

The AI Action Summit, co-chaired by PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together world leaders, international organisations, tech industry CEOs, academia, and civil society representatives. PM Modi congratulated President Macron for hosting the summit and announced that India looks forward to hosting the next AI Action Summit, continuing global dialogue and cooperation on AI.

India?s Budget Boost for AI and Digital Economy

India?s commitment to AI and technology was further reinforced in the Union Budget 2025-26, which included key initiatives focused on AI, global capability centres (GCCs), education and digital infrastructure.

India?s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined a vision for balanced economic growth, with a strong emphasis on technology-driven development.

A major highlight of the budget was the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in AI for education, with a budget allocation of ?500 crore (US$57.4 million). This initiative builds on India?s previous AI efforts in agriculture, health and smart cities and aims to make AI-driven education accessible to millions, improving job readiness and fostering innovation.

To boost research and development, the government has also proposed a ?deep tech fund of funds? worth ?20,000 crore (US$2.3 billion) to drive next-generation startups and AI advancements. This initiative is expected to accelerate AI-led growth and innovation in India.

Expanding AI-Driven Employment and Education

Recognising AI?s impact on employment, the Indian government is prioritising skill development through Atal Tinkering Labs, with 50,000 new labs planned in government schools over the next five years.

These labs will nurture scientific thinking and innovation among students, equipping them with skills for emerging fields like AI, cybersecurity and fintech.

India?s premier engineering institutions, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), are also expanding their capacity. The five IITs established post-2014 will receive additional infrastructure to accommodate 6,500 more students, reinforcing India’s focus on tech education.

Furthermore, India’s gig economy is set to benefit from new initiatives, including identity cards and e-Shram portal registration for unorganised workers. Healthcare coverage for gig workers (people who do temporary or freelance work)? is also being expanded, extending social security to millions.

A Future Shaped by AI and Human Responsibility

PM Modi concluded his speech with a powerful reminder of human agency in AI?s future. “Some people worry about machines becoming superior to human beings in terms of intelligence, but no one holds the key to our collective future and shared destiny other than all of us, humans. That sense of responsibility is what must guide us,” he said.

As India strengthens its AI infrastructure, expands its digital economy and fosters international cooperation, it stands at the forefront of the AI revolution. With a commitment to ethical AI, sustainable technology and inclusive development, India is positioning itself as a global leader in shaping the future of AI for the benefit of all humanity.