Decoding PM Modi’s vision at Paris summit – Firstpost

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the stage at the Paris AI Summit, the world watched with measured anticipation. After all, artificial intelligence is no longer just the domain of tech giants or academic think tanks. It has become the new battleground for global influence, economic supremacy, and ethical leadership. But PM Modi’s speech was not just another ceremonial address. It was a strategic articulation of India’s evolving AI narrative, one that subtly positioned the country not as a passive observer but as an active architect of the future.

At first glance, the Prime Minister’s remarks echoed familiar themes: innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation. But beneath the diplomatic niceties lay a layered message tailored to serve India’s strategic interests in the AI landscape. Modi’s words were not just about embracing AI. They were about owning it, shaping its trajectory, and ensuring that India’s vast demographic dividend is not left behind in this algorithmic revolution.

AI for Bharat, not just India

While Western leaders often speak of AI in the context of automation, defence, or economic competitiveness, Modi framed it as a tool for social transformation.

“For us, AI is not just about artificial intelligence; it is about augmenting inclusion,” PM Modi declared, subtly redefining the acronym to reflect India’s priorities. This was not mere rhetoric. It was a signal to the world that India’s AI journey would be rooted in its unique socio-economic realities.

In a country where over 65 per cent of the population lives in rural areas, the challenge is not just to develop AI, but to democratise it. PM Modi’s focus on AI-driven solutions for agriculture, healthcare, and education was not accidental. Imagine AI models that can predict monsoon patterns with greater accuracy, helping farmers optimise crop yields; AI-powered diagnostic tools reaching remote villages, etc. This is not Silicon Valley’s AI designed to optimise ad clicks. It is AI designed to save lives and livelihoods.

Data: The new oil, but who controls the well?

The underlying currents of PM Modi’s speech was the subtle assertion of data sovereignty. Modi spoke of “ethical AI” and “trustworthy ecosystems”, phrases that sound benign, but carry heavy geopolitical weight. In an era where data is the new oil, India is sitting on a vast, untapped reservoir — 1.4 billion people generating digital footprints across every conceivable sector.

But the question is not just about who collects this data. It is about who controls it. By emphasising the need for global regulations that respect national interests, PM Modi was drawing a line in the sand. India won’t be a mere data colony for global tech giants. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, recently enacted back home, aligns with this vision, ensuring that while India remains open for AI business, it is not open for exploitation.

From brain drain to brain gain

PM Modi’s speech also highlighted a quiet revolution underway: the transformation of India from a talent exporter to an AI powerhouse. For decades, Indian engineers and data scientists have fuelled the growth of Silicon Valley’s tech giants. But today, the narrative is shifting. India is not just producing AI talent. It is nurturing AI entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers.

The establishment of centres of excellence in AI across IITs and premier institutions is part of this strategy. But beyond infrastructure, PM Modi emphasised the need for a “human-centric” AI ecosystem. This is not just about coding algorithms. It is about fostering an ethical framework where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.

Geopolitics of Algorithms

While Modi’s speech avoided direct geopolitical references, the subtext was clear. In the polarised tech world, with the US and China vying for AI supremacy, India is carving out a third path. By championing open-source AI models, cross-border collaborations, and inclusive governance, PM Modi positioned India as a neutral but influential player.

This balancing act is not easy. On one hand, India collaborates with Western tech firms and allies under frameworks like the Quad’s Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) partnership. On the other, it maintains tech dialogues with countries like Russia and participates in BRICS-driven AI initiatives. PM Modi’s diplomatic finesse ensures that India benefits from both spheres without being tethered to either.

AI ethics: More than a buzzword

Perhaps the most understated, yet profound, part of PM Modi’s address was his call for ethical AI. In a world grappling with deepfakes, algorithmic biases, and surveillance concerns, this was not just a moral stance — it was a strategic one. By positioning India as a champion of responsible AI, PM Modi is tapping into a global demand for trustworthy technology.

This ethical positioning also dovetails with India’s cultural ethos. Concepts like ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), which PM Modi often cites, are not just philosophical. They are being reinterpreted in the AI age, advocating for technologies that bridge divides rather than deepen them.

The road ahead

Of course, rhetoric alone won’t propel India to the forefront of the AI revolution. The country faces significant challenges— uneven digital infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and the ever-present risk of job displacement in traditional sectors. But if there is one thing PM Modi’s Paris speech made clear, it is that India is not daunted by these obstacles. Instead, it sees them as opportunities to innovate differently.

The proposed National AI Mission, with its focus on skilling, research, and ethical governance, is a step in this direction. Initiatives like ‘AI for All’ aim to make AI literacy as common as digital literacy was a decade ago. The idea is not just to create AI products but to cultivate an AI mindset across the population.

A strategic pause

As the applause faded in Paris, PM Modi’s message lingered. It was not just about India catching up with the AI race. In fact, it was about India redefining the race itself. In the coming years, as AI reshapes economies, politics, and societies, India’s role will be pivotal — not just as a market or a talent pool but as a thought leader.

PM Modi’s speech was, in essence, a strategic pause in the global AI discourse — a reminder that while technology may be borderless, its impact is deeply rooted in the aspirations and anxieties of nations. And in this new world order, India is not just participating, it is preparing to lead.

The writer is a senior multimedia journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.