Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in New Delhi today, marking India’s leadership as the lead chair in 2024. With 29 member countries, GPAI aims to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities.
During the event, PM Modi expressed enthusiasm for India’s forthcoming chairmanship, recognizing the global discourse around AI. Acknowledging both the positive and negative implications of AI, he emphasized the responsibility of nations.
The government has proposed the development of computing infrastructure months after adopting an expert panel’s report. This proposal calls for the installation of 24,500 graphics processing units (GPUs) across 17 data centers. The project intends to foster innovation in the country’s expanding technology sector, notably among startups and academic institutions.
Around 14,500 of the total GPUs are earmarked for AI model training and high-performance storage, while the remaining 10,000 are earmarked for AI inference.
Having engaged with AI industry leaders, Modi highlighted AI’s global impact and stressed the need for cautious progress. He emphasized the Summit’s role in guiding AI discussions and preserving humanity’s core values.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s burgeoning role in AI, citing the country’s leadership in AI talent and innovation. Emphasizing the vibrant AI landscape, he lauded Indian youth for their explorations into AI, aiming to leverage technology for societal transformation.
Pointing to exhibits at the Summit’s AI exhibition, Modi highlighted youth endeavors to drive social change through technology. He reinforced current advances, such as the AI agriculture chatbot that assists farmers, as well as AI’s uses in healthcare and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Reiterating India’s inclusive development approach, he added,
“The development mantra of India is Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.”
According to PM Modi, the government has designed its policies and initiatives with the goal of delivering “AI for All.” He outlined plans for a National Program on Artificial Intelligence and an imminent AI Mission to bolster computing capabilities. These initiatives, he noted, will support startups, enhance AI applications in agriculture, healthcare, and education, and extend AI education to Tier 2 and 3 cities.
Modi further highlighted India’s national AI portal, specifically the AIRAWAT program, which aims to become a shared platform for research labs, companies, and startups, thereby fostering wider AI activities.
He also noted the importance of artificial intelligence in influencing the future, emphasizing its ability to create economic growth, equality, and social justice through connectedness. He maintained,
“The more inclusive, the development journey of AI, the more inclusive will be the results.”
He further added,
“The direction of AI development will totally depend on human and democratic values. It is up to us to keep a place for emotions along with efficiency, ethics along with effectiveness.”
Asserting AI’s transformative nature, Modi highlighted the necessity for transparency, trust, and inclusivity in AI systems. He emphasized transparent, bias-free data usage as a foundational step and advocated for global inclusivity in AI development.
“There is no doubt that AI is transformative but it is up to us to make it more and more transparent.”
To address concerns and assure worldwide participation, the PM advocated combining upskilling, reskilling, and data protection measures.
While praising AI’s progressive potential, Modi warned against its harmful possibilities, mentioning deepfakes and cybersecurity risks as concerns. He advocated for a framework for responsible AI governance, signaling India’s proposal during the G20 Presidency and urged global collaboration to establish ethical guidelines for AI use. Stressing urgency, he called for swift action to safeguard humanity through a comprehensive global framework.
The Prime Minister highlighted the global significance of AI and emphasized collaborative efforts. He posed critical questions regarding AI credibility, urging considerations on data sets, testing protocols, and the possibility of introducing a Software Watermark for AI-generated products.
Directing government stakeholders, he urged exploration of existing scheme data for evidence-based decision-making and proposed an audit mechanism categorizing AI tools by capabilities. He further questioned the establishment of resilient employment structures and standardized global AI education.
Focusing on India’s linguistic diversity, he suggested leveraging AI for digital inclusion in local languages and revitalizing dormant languages, including Sanskrit, to preserve cultural knowledge and Vedic mathematics.
To conclude his address, he noted,
“Over the next two days, you will delve into various aspects of AI. I hope that the outcomes, when implemented, will definitely pave the way for building a responsible and sustainable future.”
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