NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged a global AI summit on Thursday, February 19, to democratize artificial intelligence, ensuring it serves as a tool for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South.
Modi stated that AI must not reduce humans to mere data points but should be accessible to all. He highlighted India's recent progress in AI competitiveness, noting that AI models developed in India could have global deployment potential. "We must resolve that AI is used for the global common good," Modi declared.
The summit drew key figures including UN Chief Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, and AI leaders such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres warned against leaving AI's future to "the whims of a few billionaires." He proposed a "Global Fund on AI" targeting US$3 billion to build capacity and ensure open access to the technology, cautioning that without investment, many nations risk being "logged out of the AI age." Guterres also stressed the need to protect children from exploitation and ensure AI data centers utilize clean power.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized shaping AI regulations with allies like India, positioning Europe as an "innovation and investment" space within a "safe space." France is increasing its training of AI scientists and engineers and prioritizing children's protection against AI and digital abuse.
The summit also facilitated significant tech deals. OpenAI and Tata Consultancy Services announced plans for hyperscale AI data centers in India. Google committed to building subsea cables as part of a US$15 billion AI infrastructure investment. Nvidia is partnering with Indian cloud providers to supply advanced processors for AI data centers.