NEW DELHI: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. GPAI is a multi–stakeholder initiative aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting–edge research and applied activities on AI–related priorities. India is the lead chair of GPAI in 2024 and 29 member countries are part of it.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight in chairing the GPAI Summit. Noting both the positive and the negative aspects that are emerging, the Prime Minister underlined the responsibility enshrined upon each nation and recalled interacting with various industry leaders of AI and having discussions regarding the GPAI Summit. He stated, “AI has had an impact on every country, be it small or big and we need to move forward with caution.”
PM Modi mentioned that India is the main player in the field of AI talent and AI–related ideas. “A vibrant AI spirit is visible in Indian youth is testing and pushing the frontier of AI tech,” he said.
Modi further informed about the recently launched AI agriculture chatbot which will help farmers in various aspects of farming. He also expounded on the use of AI in the fields of healthcare and Sustainable Development Goals.
“The development mantra of India is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” Modi said while underlining that the government has drafted its policies and programs with the spirit of AI for all.
Modi added that the government has decided to initiate a National Program on Artificial Intelligence, and the soon to be launched AI Mission which aims to establish the computing powers of AI. “We will provide better services to startups and innovators in India and also promote AI applications in the sectors of agriculture, healthcare, and education. We will also take AI-related skills to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities via educational training institutes,” he said.
Speaking about India’s national AI portal that promotes AI initiatives, Modi mentioned the AI Research Analytics and Knowledge Dissemination Platform (AIRAWAT) initiative and informed that the common platform will soon be open for every research lab, industry, and startup.
While stressing the importance of AI, the PM said that AI is becoming the biggest basis for sculpting the new future. As AI can connect people, it not only ensures economic development but it ensures equality and social justice. He emphasised the need to make AI more inclusive and said, “the more inclusive, the development journey of AI, the more inclusive will be the results.”
He mentioned the unequal access to technology in the last century further accentuating inequality in the society. To avoid this, Modi asked that democratic values should not be neglected in technology to make it an inclusion multiplier. “The direction of AI development will depend on human and democratic values. It is up to us to keep a place for emotions along with efficiency, ethics along with effectiveness”, he said.
Noting AI as a worldwide movement, the Prime Minister stressed the need for collaboration. He suggested a few questions that need to be addressed to enhance AI’s credibility such as data sets for testing and training AI tools, length and duration of testing before releasing any product to the market. He also asked whether a Software Watermark can be introduced to mark any information or product as AI-generated.
Addressing the stakeholders in the government, the Prime Minister asked them to explore the data of various schemes for evidence-based decision-making and see if the data can be used to train AI tools. He asked if there could be an audit mechanism that can categorise AI tools into red, yellow or green as per their capabilities. “Can we establish an institutional mechanism that ensures resilient employment? Can we bring standardised global AI education curriculum? Can we set standards to prepare people for an AI-driven future?”, the Prime Minister continued.
Noting the hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects in India, the Prime Minister suggested using AI to make digital services available in local languages to increase digital inclusion. He also suggested using AI to revive the languages that are no longer spoken, taking forward the rich knowledge base and literature of the Sanskrit language and reuniting the missing volumes of Vedic mathematics.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the GPAI Summit will prove to be an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas and a great learning experience for every delegate. “Over the next two days, you will delve into various aspects of AI. I hope that the outcomes, when implemented, will pave the way for building a responsible and sustainable future”, the Prime Minister concluded.