Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that India will play a crucial role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that no global AI development can be complete without India’s contribution.
In a candid, three-hour conversation with American AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, Modi made a bold statement: “No matter what the world does with AI, it will remain incomplete without India. I say this very responsibly.”
Highlighting India’s collaborative approach, he asked Fridman, “Can AI truly be developed in isolation? You’ve heard my speech at the AI Summit in Paris on global cooperation. What do you think?”
PM Modi stressed that AI innovation is fundamentally a shared effort, where nations contribute through experiences and research. He pointed out that India is not merely working on theoretical AI models but is actively deploying AI-driven applications across diverse sectors, ensuring equitable access to GPU-powered computing for all.
A key initiative in this direction is the IndiaAI Mission, which includes AIKosha: IndiaAI Datasets Platform, a marketplace-based model ensuring broad accessibility. The AI Compute Portal will provide access to 10,000 GPUs initially, with an additional 8,693 to follow, offering subsidized AI compute services for startups, researchers, and enterprises. Other initiatives, such as IndiaAI FutureSkills, the Application Development Initiative, and the AI Competency Framework for Public Sector Officials, are focused on research, innovation, and skill development. The IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program is also working with global hubs like Station F to support AI startups.
Modi noted that while India was previously perceived as lagging in AI, significant structural changes and government-backed initiatives have propelled the country toward becoming a leader in responsible and ethical AI development.
During the conversation, Modi also reflected on India’s record-breaking 5G rollout, which defied global expectations. “The world initially thought we were behind, but we became the fastest nation to roll out a comprehensive 5G network,” he said.
He shared an anecdote from an American executive who observed the vast difference in India’s engineering talent pool: “If I advertised for engineers in the US, I’d barely fill a room. In India, even a football field wouldn’t be enough.”
Concluding the discussion, Modi emphasized that AI’s foundation is human intelligence, and India’s vast talent pool is its greatest strength. “Artificial intelligence thrives on genuine human intelligence, and that is abundant in India’s youth. This is our greatest asset.”