I am delighted to welcome you all once again to the AI Impact Summit in India. I am confident that this summit will play a crucial role in building a human-centric, sensitive global AI ecosystem.

Friends,

If we look back at history, we see that humanity has always turned every disruption into a new opportunity. Today, we face yet another such moment. Together, we must transform this disruption into the greatest opportunity for humanity.

Friends,

India is the land of Buddha, and Lord Buddha said: Right Action Comes from Right Understanding. Therefore, it is essential that we create a roadmap together, so that AI delivers the right impact. And the right impact only comes when we take the right decisions, at the right time, with the right intent.

Friends,

During the global COVID pandemic, the world witnessed that when we stand together, the impossible becomes possible. From vaccine development to supply chains, from data sharing to saving lives—collaboration provided the solutions. We saw in India how technology can serve humanity during the pandemic. Our digital vaccination platform helped millions get vaccinated on time. Our UPI ensured that people could continue to make online transactions even in those difficult times. UPI also played a major role in bridging the digital divide in India. In recent years, India has built a vibrant digital public infrastructure, which we are sharing with the world. For us, technology is not a tool of power, but a medium of service—not to overpower, but to empower. AI too must follow this path, serving the welfare of all humanity.

Friends,

In the past, technology created divisions, but today our goal must be to make AI accessible and available to everyone. Therefore, as we discuss the future of AI, we must place the aspirations and priorities of the Global South at the center of AI governance.

Excellencies,

No matter the era, ethics have always been at the heart of discussion. The difference is that earlier, the scope of unethical behavior was limited, but in AI, its scope is infinite—unlimited. Hence, for AI, we must also expand the scope of ethical behavior and norms to infinity. AI companies carry a huge responsibility: alongside profit, they must also focus on purpose. Such ethical commitments are urgently needed. At an individual level, AI is influencing our learning, intelligence, and emotions.

Excellencies,

I have three suggestions for the ethical use of AI. First—while respecting data sovereignty, we must create a data framework for AI training. As the saying goes in AI: Garbage in, garbage out. If data is not secure, balanced, and reliable, then the output cannot be trusted. Therefore, a global trusted data framework is essential. Second—AI platforms must keep their safety rules clear and transparent. We need a glass-box approach instead of a black-box approach, where safety rules can be seen and verified. This will ensure accountability and boost ethical behavior in business. Third—in AI research, the paperclip problem is often cited. If a machine is given the sole goal of making paperclips, it may sacrifice all the world’s resources just to achieve that. Hence, AI needs clear human values and guidance. Technology is powerful, but direction must always be set by humans.

Friends,

In the global journey of Artificial Intelligence, aspirational India has a major role to play. Recognizing this responsibility, India is taking significant steps today. Through our AI mission, India currently has 38,000 GPUs, and in the next six months, we will add 24,000 more. We are providing world-class computing power to our startups at very affordable rates. We have also created an AI Co-STE, through which more than 7,500 datasets and 270 AI models have been shared as national resources.

Friends,

India’s direction on AI is clear, India’s vision is clear. AI is a shared resource for the welfare of all humanity. Together, we must build an AI future that advances innovation, strengthens inclusion, and integrates human values. When technology and human trust move forward hand in hand, the true impact of AI will be seen across the world.

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MJPS/VJ/ST