By Anant Goenka,
The vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shaping the global agenda for AI. He has time and again emphasised that we must use AI to transform people’s lives and ensure safety, trust and accountability. This vision is reflected in the agenda of the Global AI Summit scheduled in France today to which Prime Minister Modi has been invited to Co-Chair. This is yet another endorsement of growing prowess of India. India has been fully involved in its preparation, as a member of the steering committee and five working groups and is also co-chairing the working group on the international governance of AI. Building trusted artificial intelligence systems, sharing benefits on a vast scale, guaranteeing independent access to artificial intelligence resources, and defining an inclusive and effective international governance framework, are the priorities of the forthcoming AI Summit.
As AI increasingly shapes the global economy, international collaboration on AI governance is necessary on all of these areas. This will need commitment of all stakeholders, corporates, start-ups, researchers, students, Governments and others. Every country associated with this summit has a huge responsibility.
India’s role will be instrumental in shaping policies around the world when it comes to AI through its participation in such multilateral foras and organisations like G20. In the G-20 Summit held in New Delhi in 2023, Prime Minister proposed to establish a framework for Responsible Human-Centric AI governance. The G20 New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed the commitment of all member countries towards ‘AI Principles’. An understanding was reached by all members about the risks associated with the use of AI and members agreed to work together to create a global framework for the ethical use of AI and all countries to get the benefits of AI in areas like Socio-Economic Development, Global Workforce and R&D.
India is not only picking up its domestic AI pace but also proactively becoming a trend setter on the global AI map, solidifying its position as a torchbearer of an AI-led future. Recently, the Government of India also announced that soon India will have its own generative AI model. India, with its rapidly growing digital economy, the world’s largest employable talent pool and progressive government policies, is uniquely positioned to play a role in determining the future trajectory of AI innovation globally.
Most countries are now starting to adopt AI focused strategies and policies to leverage these new transformative capabilities. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are set to transform essential sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, urban planning, and manufacturing. For instance, the Government of India has employed AI methods to address various challenges in the agricultural sector to aid farmers. ‘Kisan e-Mitra’ an AI-powered chatbot to assist farmers with queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, supports multiple languages and is evolving to assist with other government programs. Similarly, the National Pest Surveillance System for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops.
Further, AI’s potential to drive public welfare is one of its most transformative aspects. Public Interest AI encompasses applications that enhance healthcare, education, and governance. AI-driven diagnostics are revolutionizing early disease detection, while AI-powered educational tools are bridging the digital divide in rural India. Government has announced three Centres of Excellence in AI for agriculture, health, and sustainable cities in 2023. And, in the recently announced budget for the year 2025-26 government has announced another Centre of Excellence in AI for education with a total outlay of Rs 500 crore. Additionally, smart governance initiatives leverage AI for predictive policymaking, ensuring efficient public service delivery. India’s emphasis on responsible AI development ensures that these advancements remain accessible and inclusive, aligning with the principles of equity and sustainability. Additionally, AI is also an enabler of creativity and innovation. The Indian startup ecosystem fuelled by several government initiatives is encouraging the innovation of AI in all sectors. It is changing the business models in the fintech, retail, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
The integration of AI in the workforce is changing the profiles quickly and for that, massive reskilling and upskilling are required. IMF states that AI poses risks of job displacements, notably for emerging markets and developing economies, which are not well placed to leverage the technology relative to the advanced economies. ILO estimates that nearly 75 million jobs globally are at complete risk of automation due to AI. As we contemplate the integration of AI into the economy, the lessons of past technological revolutions underscore the critical importance of proactive institutional response. Rightfully, India’s National AI Strategy focuses on AI-based skill enhancement projects to make its workforce ready for the future. Companies and policymakers must collaborate to ensure a seamless transition towards AI-integrated workplaces that balance productivity with human-centric values.
For AI to reach its full potential, trust in AI systems is paramount. Concerns around data privacy, bias, and transparency need to be addressed through robust frameworks. The recently introduced Digital Personal Data Protection Act and its draft Rules, underscore India’s commitment to securing Data and AI-driven digital interactions. In the end, I would reiterate that today’s Bharat is well positioned to shape global AI governance and ecosystem which will be sustainable, ethical and inclusive.
The author is Senior Vice President, FICCI
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