Google CEO Sundar Pichai, while attending the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the transformative potential of AI in India. Their conversation focused on how AI can drive India’s digital advancement, enhance governance, and support sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. The two leaders also explored collaboration opportunities between Google and India, emphasizing the importance of AI in boosting India’s digital economy.
Pichai posted a photo from his meeting with PM Modi on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his excitement: “It was a pleasure to meet PM @narendramodi in Paris during the AI Action Summit. We explored the vast potential AI holds for India and discussed ways to collaborate on accelerating the country’s digital transformation.”
PM Modi’s Speech at the India-France CEOs Forum
Following the AI summit, PM Modi interacted with Indian and French business leaders, highlighting the forum’s significance in strengthening economic partnerships and driving innovation. He characterized the gathering as more than a mere business event, referring to it as a “union of the most brilliant minds from India and France.”
Modi stressed that AI should be harnessed responsibly to ensure it benefits humanity and does not become a tool for misinformation, bias, or unethical use. He also emphasized India’s efforts in ethical AI development and the country’s potential to become a global hub for AI research and innovation.
Addressing concerns over AI-driven job losses, Modi reassured that technology has historically evolved work rather than eliminating it. He called for investments in skill development, stating, “We need to skill and re-skill people to prepare them for an AI-driven future.”
Acknowledging AI’s rapid advancements, Modi underlined the role of human intelligence and decision-making in shaping the future. “We are at the dawn of the AI age, but no one holds the key to our collective future other than us humans,” he asserted.
US Vice President JD Vance, who attended the summit, echoed Modi’s sentiments, stating that AI would enhance human productivity rather than replace jobs.
Google’s Commitment to India’s AI Growth
As a key player in the global AI landscape, Google has already made significant contributions to India’s digital journey. Sundar Pichai reaffirmed Google’s commitment to supporting India’s AI-driven growth by expanding investments in AI research, cloud computing, and AI-enabled services.
Google has been actively involved in India’s digital infrastructure, from providing AI-powered solutions for farmers to developing language models that bridge the linguistic divide in the country. Pichai also emphasized the potential of AI in enhancing cybersecurity, financial inclusion, and smart governance.
PM Modi’s Address at the India-France CEOs Forum
After the AI summit, PM Modi engaged with top Indian and French business leaders, underscoring the forum’s vital role in enhancing economic collaboration and fostering innovation. He described the event as more than a business gathering, calling it a “coming together of the brightest minds from India and France.”
Encouraging global investment in India, Modi highlighted opportunities across various sectors, citing the aviation industry’s growth as an example. “With India set to open 120 new airports, the potential for investment is immense,” he remarked. He also discussed India’s rapid strides in manufacturing, renewable energy, and semiconductor production, positioning the country as a global investment destination.
Additionally, Modi invited French companies to collaborate in AI, deep tech, and defense technology, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
India’s Expanding Role in Global AI Policy
India has been actively shaping AI policies with a strong emphasis on ethical AI development. The government has launched various initiatives, such as the National AI Strategy, to harness AI for inclusive growth. By advocating for a global AI governance framework at the summit, Modi reinforced India’s commitment to responsible AI adoption.
Following his engagements in France, Modi is set to visit the United States for a two-day trip, where he will meet newly elected President Donald Trump to discuss strengthening India-US relations. AI is expected to be a key topic of discussion, alongside trade and defense collaborations.
