Prime Minister Narendra Modi, co-chairing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris, discussed the transformative power of AI while stressing the need for global cooperation to tackle its challenges.
He highlighted that AI is playing a major role in shaping humanity’s future in the 21st century, emphasizing its vast potential as well as the biases that exist within AI systems. Modi called for collective global efforts to ensure responsible development and regulation of AI.
To illustrate AI’s dual nature, he provided an example: “If you upload your medical report to an AI app, it can explain it simply. But if you ask the same app to draw a person writing with their left hand, it will mostly depict someone using their right hand because of the biased training data.” He pointed out that while AI’s capabilities are impressive, its biases need to be carefully addressed.
The Prime Minister acknowledged AI’s growing influence and said, “AI is transforming our quality of life, economy, security, and society. Unlike past technological developments, AI is advancing at an unprecedented scale.” He called for a global approach to AI governance, with standards and regulations developed collaboratively, ensuring that risks are managed while fostering innovation and equitable access.
Discussing AI’s potential in various fields, Modi noted its ability to revolutionize sectors like agriculture and environmental conservation, making progress toward sustainable development goals quicker and more efficient. However, he also warned of significant challenges, including cybersecurity threats, disinformation, and deepfakes, that need to be addressed for AI to be truly beneficial.
On the issue of employment, Modi recognized concerns over job losses due to automation but reassured that technological advancements historically lead to the creation of new job categories. “Work doesn’t disappear because of technology; it creates new types of jobs,” he explained, urging investment in skill development and workforce reskilling to prepare for an AI-driven future.
Finally, Modi pointed out that the energy consumption required for AI’s growth is a major concern. “AI needs green power to fuel its future,” he said, calling on global stakeholders to consider environmentally friendly energy sources for AI infrastructure.
