At the AI Action Summit in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, co-chairing the event alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, addressed key concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, including its governance, ethical deployment, and impact on jobs. He acknowledged fears about AI-induced job losses but dismissed the notion that technology eliminates employment, asserting that "history has shown that work does not disappear due to technology; its nature changes. New types of jobs are created." Emphasizing the importance of human capital, he stressed the need for investment in skilling and reskilling people to adapt to an AI-driven future.
Modi also highlighted AI’s inherent biases, cautioning that datasets used for training AI models could perpetuate discrimination. "While the positive potential of AI is absolutely amazing, there are many biases that we need to think carefully about," he noted. Calling for a more inclusive and ethical approach, he suggested that AI systems be built using high-quality, bias-free datasets and advocated for the democratization of technology through open-source, people-centric applications.
Discussing AI’s transformative potential, Modi underscored its growing role in reshaping governance, economies, security, and societies. "AI is writing the code for humanity in this century, but it is very different from other technological milestones in human history," he stated, emphasizing the unprecedented scale and speed at which AI is evolving. Given AI’s cross-border implications, he called for a collective global effort to establish regulatory frameworks that uphold shared values, mitigate risks, and foster trust.
The prime minister further elaborated on AI’s potential to revolutionize key sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. "AI can help transform millions of lives by improving health, education, agriculture, and so much more. It can help create a world in which the journey to sustainable development goals becomes easier and faster," he said, advocating for resource-sharing, collaborative talent development, and an open-source approach to ensure AI serves humanity equitably.
Addressing emerging AI-related threats, Modi called for urgent action against cybersecurity risks, disinformation, and deepfakes. "We must address concerns related to cybersecurity, disinformation, and deepfakes," he said, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures and ethical AI deployment to prevent misuse.
Modi also raised concerns about AI’s environmental impact, particularly its high energy consumption. "There is no doubt that the high energy intensity of AI needs to be looked into. This will require green power to fuel its future," he said. Citing the International Solar Alliance between India and France as a successful model for sustainable collaboration, he suggested integrating AI with renewable energy solutions to ensure a responsible and eco-friendly technological future.
Concluding his speech, the prime minister highlighted India’s success in developing large-scale digital public infrastructure. "India has successfully built a digital public infrastructure for over 1.4 billion people at a very low cost. It is built around an open and accessible network," he noted, underscoring India’s leadership in scalable, inclusive digital solutions.
