Paris [France], February 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in improving lives across sectors such as health, agriculture, and education. He stated that AI could help create a world where the journey toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) becomes “easier and faster.” To achieve this, he called on global collaboration to pool resources, talent, and knowledge to advance AI.
During his address, PM Modi highlighted the need for developing open-source systems to foster trust and transparency. He also stressed the importance of building high-quality, unbiased data sets and creating people-centric AI applications. Acknowledging concerns about AI-induced job loss, the Prime Minister assured that while the nature of jobs might change, technology will not make jobs disappear; instead, it will create new job opportunities. He further underscored the need for investing in skilling and re-skilling to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven future.
PM Modi also expressed his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for hosting the summit and inviting him to co-chair the event. He mentioned that AI is developing at an “unprecedented scale and speed,” rapidly reshaping not just economies, but societies and security systems as well. He noted the deep interdependence between nations as AI advances at a global scale, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation.
He called for collective global efforts to establish governance and standards for AI that align with shared values. He urged the need for deep discussions on innovation and governance, particularly to ensure equitable access to AI, especially in the Global South, where there is often a lack of resources such as data, talent, and infrastructure.
- AI’s Potential for Global Transformation:
- PM Modi outlined how AI can positively impact health, agriculture, education, and other sectors, accelerating the journey toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He underscored the technology’s ability to drive societal and economic progress on a global scale.
- Call for Global Collaboration and Resources:
- He emphasized that AI’s potential can only be unlocked through global collaboration. This includes pooling resources, expertise, and talent, as well as developing open-source AI systems to build trust and enhance transparency. Modi’s call to action focused on creating systems that are both inclusive and transparent.
- Job Creation and Re-Skilling:
- PM Modi addressed the fears surrounding AI and job displacement. He reassured that while AI might alter the nature of work, it will not eliminate jobs altogether. He emphasized the creation of new types of jobs and the importance of investing in skilling and re-skilling to prepare people for the AI-driven future.
- AI’s Rapid Development and Global Interdependence:
- The Prime Minister highlighted AI’s rapid development, noting that it is reshaping economies, societies, and even security systems. He also stressed the interdependence between countries, as the pace of AI’s advancement requires global cooperation and a shared approach to governance.
- Governance and Innovation:
- PM Modi stressed the importance of establishing governance frameworks and standards for AI that uphold shared values and address risks. He explained that governance should not only focus on managing potential conflicts but should also foster innovation and ensure that AI benefits are accessible globally, particularly in resource-limited regions like the Global South.
- Gratitude to President Macron:
- In his speech, PM Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for hosting the AI Action Summit and for inviting him to co-chair the event. This reflected the growing importance of international partnerships in shaping the future of AI.