New Delhi, 19 February (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a global benchmark for AI development rooted in Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya during his address at the India AI Impact Summit on Thursday, at Bharat Mandapam, cautioning against its strategic weaponization by select nations and corporations while championing transparency as paramount.
Inauguration and Global Pledge
Inaugurating what he termed the world's largest and most historic AI impact summit, PM Modi called for a collective vow: We must resolve today to develop AI as a force for global common good. Amidst attendees including French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, heads of state, ministers, multilateral representatives, and AI industry leaders, he introduced the MANAV vision: M for Moral and Ethical Systems ensuring AI adheres to principled guidelines; A for Accountable Governance demanding transparent rules and robust oversight; N for National Sovereignty affirming data belongs to its rightful owner (the concerned nation); A for Accessible and Inclusive positioning AI as a multiplier, not a monopoly; V for Valid and Legitimate rendering it lawful and verifiable.
Ethical Imperative and Future Legacy
Urging responsibility across generations, PM Modi posed: Rather than what AI can do in the future, the real question today is what we do with AI now. He advocated shifting from machine-centric to human-centric, sensitive, and responsive AI—the summit's core purpose—declaring India's stance: India sees not fear in AI, but fortune and future.
Tackling Deepfakes and Transformative Power
Highlighting challenges like deepfakes, PM Modi insisted on digital labeling akin to food ingredients, enabling truth discernment. Describing AI as humanity's most transformative innovation—surpassing all prior in speed and scale—he warned of potential destructive impacts necessitating safeguards, likening it to granting open skies while retaining GPS-like human command.
Democratizing AI for Global South
Representing developing nations, PM Modi stressed democratizing AI as inclusive empowerment, rejecting humans as mere data sources. India's ecosystem—from semiconductors and chip manufacturing to quantum computing, secure data centers, robust IT infrastructure, and dynamic startups—positions it as a hub for affordable, scalable, secure solutions, amplified by diversity, demographics, democracy, talent, energy capacity, policy clarity, 1.4 billion people (one-sixth of humanity), the world's largest youth population, tech talent pool, and 140 million eager tech adopters.
Showcasing Indian Innovation
Three Indian companies launched AI models and apps reflecting youth talent, solution depth, and diversity; the expo's enthusiasm, especially youth participation in agriculture, security, disability aid, and multilingual needs, exemplifies Make in India prowess. PM Modi noted new technologies face initial skepticism, yet global youth's unprecedented adoption speed is remarkable; like school curricula under family guidance, AI must safeguard children.
Summit's Ambitious Scope
Themed Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya, the summit aims to establish India as an AI leader, envisioning technology advancing humanity, inclusive growth, and planetary protection. It convenes over 500 global AI leaders (including 100 CEOs/founders), 150 academics/researchers, 400 CTOs/VPs/philanthropists, and 100+ government representatives (20+ heads of state/government, ~60 ministers/deputy ministers).
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
