PM Modi advocates responsible AI governance at AI Action Summit in Paris

Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris, Modi said, “AI is developing at an unprecedented scale and speed. And being adopted and deployed even faster. There is also a deep inter-dependence across borders. Therefore, there is a need for collective global efforts to establish governance and standards, that uphold our shared values, address risks, and build trust.”

Co-chairing the event with French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi underscored both the potential and challenges of AI, calling for a balanced approach to its governance.

He called upon the countries to “think deeply and discuss openly about innovation and governance.”

He stressed AI’s impact on transforming 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 underscored.

Collaboration for ethical AI development

Co-chairing the AI Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for a balanced approach to AI governance. He highlighted the importance of pooling resources and talent to build open-source systems that foster trust and transparency.

“To do this, we must pool together resources and talent. We must develop open-source systems that enhance trust and transparency. We must build quality data sets, free from biases. We must democratise technology and create people-centric applications. We must address concerns related to cyber security, disinformation, and deep fakes. And, we must also ensure that technology is rooted in local ecosystems for it to be effective and useful,” Modi said.

Addressing job disruptions through skill development

Acknowledging concerns about AI-induced job losses, Modi reassured that technological advancements historically transform job markets rather than eliminate employment opportunities. He called for a proactive approach to skill development.

“Loss of jobs is AI’s most feared disruption. But, history has shown that work does not disappear due to technology. Its nature changes and new types of jobs are created. We need to invest in skilling and re-skilling our people for an AI-driven future,” he stated.

Sustainable AI for a greener future

PM Modi also stressed the high energy consumption of AI technologies and the need for green power to sustain its growth. He pointed to India’s long-standing collaboration with France in initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and highlighted the necessity of energy-efficient AI models.

“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.

He added, “Sustainable AI does not only mean using clean energy. AI models must also be efficient and sustainable in size, data needs, and resource requirements. After all, the human brain manages to compose poetry and design space ships using less power than most lightbulbs.”

India’s AI leadership and digital public infrastructure

Modi underscored India’s success in building a Digital Public Infrastructure that serves over 1.4 billion people at a low cost. He highlighted the country’s efforts in data empowerment, digital commerce, and AI applications for public good.

“We have unlocked the power of data through our Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture. And, we have made digital commerce democratic and accessible to all. This vision is the foundation of India’s National AI Mission,” he noted.

He also pointed to India’s leadership in AI adoption and data privacy solutions, built on the foundation laid during its G20 Presidency.

“During our G20 Presidency, we built a consensus on Harnessing AI Responsibly, for Good, and for All. Today, India leads in AI adoption, and techno-legal solutions on data privacy,” he said.

Public-Private Partnerships for AI innovation

PM Modi highlighted India’s unique public-private partnership model that provides affordable computing power to start-ups and researchers, helping drive AI innovation.

“India is building its own Large Language Model considering our diversity. We also have a unique public-private partnership model for pooling resources like compute power. It is made available to our start-ups and researchers at an affordable cost. And, India is ready to share its experience and expertise to ensure that the AI future is for Good, and for All,” he concluded.