NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an international compact to ensure that artificial intelligence is used responsibly and not exploited for harmful purposes. He said such a framework should rest on key principles, including strong human oversight, safety-by-design, transparency, and strict curbs on the use of AI in deepfakes, crime and terrorism.
Addressing a G20 session on Sunday, Modi said India advocates development that is sustainable and inclusive, trade that is trusted, and financial systems that are fair. Referring to disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic, he stressed that countries must not be viewed merely as markets and should be approached with long-term sensitivity.
“AI systems that affect human life, security or public trust must be responsible and auditable. And while AI can expand human capabilities, the final responsibility for decisions must always rest with human beings,” he said.
Modi announced that India has invited all G20 nations to the AI Summit it will host in February next year, built around the theme ‘Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya — welfare for all, happiness for all’.
He outlined India’s AI strategy, centred on equitable access, population-scale skilling and responsible deployment. Under the India-AI Mission, high-performance computing capabilities are being developed to ensure AI benefits reach every district and every language.
The PM warned that rapid technological advancement is concentrating resources and opportunities in a few hands, noting rising global competition over critical technologies. “This is a concern for humanity and a barrier to innovation. We must fundamentally rethink our approach,” he said.
Modi urged nations to prioritise human-centric, globally relevant and open-source-driven technology solutions. He added that India has woven this philosophy into all its tech initiatives.
With AI reshaping economies, Modi stressed the need to shift focus from “jobs of today” to “capabilities of tomorrow.” He underlined the importance of talent mobility for innovation and expressed hope that the G20 would establish a global framework for it in the coming years.
