Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit in Paris, advocating for a global framework to regulate artificial intelligence while stressing the need for skilling and reskilling to prepare for an AI-driven future. The summit saw notable discussions, including a meeting between Modi and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who spoke about the immense opportunities AI presents for India. Pichai highlighted how Google could collaborate with India in advancing the country’s digital transformation. Sharing insights from their discussion on social media, he expressed his enthusiasm about working closely with India to harness AI’s potential.
During his address at the summit, Modi underscored the importance of establishing governance and global standards for AI that mitigate risks while fostering innovation. He pointed out that the fear of job losses due to AI-driven automation should be viewed in perspective, as history has shown that technological advancements change the nature of work rather than eliminating it. The need for large-scale skill development to align with AI’s rapid evolution was a key point in his speech. He reassured that human intelligence and decision-making would continue to shape the future, despite the increasing sophistication of AI.
US Vice President JD Vance, also present at the summit, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that AI would enhance productivity rather than replace human workers. He expressed confidence that AI would serve as a facilitator rather than a replacement for human effort.
While in France, Modi also addressed a gathering of Indian and French business leaders, calling for deeper economic cooperation and innovation-driven collaboration between the two nations. He described the forum as more than just a business event, characterizing it as a convergence of creative minds working toward progress. Modi invited investors to explore opportunities in India, asserting that this was the right time to invest in a rapidly growing economy. He pointed to India’s booming aviation sector as an example, referencing large aircraft orders placed by Indian companies and plans to develop 120 new airports, which would unlock significant economic potential.
After concluding his engagements in France, Modi is set to travel to the United States for a two-day visit. He will meet newly elected President Donald Trump to discuss ways to strengthen India-US relations further.
