PM Modi Co-Chairs Paris AI Summit with France

Syllabus:

GS-3:

IT & Computers , Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology , Scientific Innovations & Discoveries , Artificial Intelligence

Focus:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France for the AI Action Summit underscores India’s growing role in shaping global AI policies. Co-chairing the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron highlights the strategic partnership between India and France on emerging technologies and digital transformation.

PM Modi Co-Chairs Paris AI Summit with France

India-France Strategic Partnership:

  • Historical Relationship: India and France share an old and deep relationship based on strategic autonomy and mutual respect.
  • Key Milestones:
    • 1998: President Jacques Chirac proposed a “partnership for the 21st century” during his visit to India.
    • 2015: Launched the International Solar Alliance at the Paris Climate Conference.
    • Co-chairs of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), working on sustainable development.
  • Shared Vision: Both nations emphasize global partnerships, shared values, and mutual interests, particularly in addressing global challenges like climate change and emerging technologies.

AI Action Summit in Paris:

  • Scheduled for February 10-11, 2025 in Paris.
  • Co-chaired by India and France.
  • Third in the series after the UK (2023) and South Korea (2024) summits.
  • Focus areas: AI safety, innovation, governance, and the future of work.

India’s Engagement in Global AI Discussions:

  • UK AI Summit (2023):
  • Focused on AI safety.
  • Led to the launch of the UK AI Safety Institute (AISI).
  • South Korea Summit (2024):
  • Expanded discussions on multilateral cooperation in AI governance.
  • Strengthened international collaboration on AI safety.
  • India’s Initiatives:
  • Announced plans for its own AI Safety Institute.
  • Advocated AI development for the Global South in multilateral forums.
  • Under India’s G20 Presidency (2023), leaders adopted a “pro-innovation regulatory approach” to balance AI growth with safety.
  • Hosted the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) meeting in 2023, emphasizing equitable AI access for developing nations.

AI Summit and India’s Role:

  • Paris Summit:
    • Scheduled for February 11, 2025, co-chaired by PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
    • Focuses on shaping global rules for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ensuring responsible development of emerging technologies.
  • Recognition of India:
    • France’s invitation highlights India’s expanding role in AI innovation and its inclusive approach to new technologies.
    • Paris values India’s commitment to democratisation of AI and its impact on the Global South.
  • Global Representation:
    • Attendees include leaders like US Vice President J.D. Vance, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Key Objectives of the AI Summit:

  • Global Cooperation on AI:
    • Build on outcomes of the UK AI Summit (November 2023) and South Korea Summit (May 2024).
    • Promote international collaboration to harness AI responsibly.
  • AI Safety and Ethics:
    • Affirm commitments to human-centric, trustworthy, and responsible AI development as per the Bletchley Park Declaration.
    • Establish a network of AI Safety Institutes to address risks and governance issues.
  • Inclusivity and Accessibility:
    • Ensure equitable access to AI for the Global South and address ethical concerns in its deployment.

India’s Contributions and Vision for AI:

  • AI for Global South: India advocates for bringing the benefits of AI to developing nations and ensuring its accessibility.
  • Ethical AI Development: India supports the creation of a framework for inclusive, responsible, and ethical AI.
  • AI Innovation Leadership:
    • India’s growing role in AI technologies is recognized globally.
    • Collaboration with France and other nations emphasizes safety, governance, and ethical AI deployment.

Strengthening India-France Collaboration:

  • Future Prospects:
    • Enhanced cooperation in technology, climate change, and security.
    • Strengthening the strategic partnership with a focus on digital transformation.
  • Global Leadership:
    • The summit provides an opportunity for India to shape global AI policies.
    • Collaboration with France reinforces multilateral efforts to address emerging challenges in technology and governance.

Challenges:

  • Ethical Concerns: Ensuring AI systems remain unbiased, ethical, and human-centric.
  • Data Privacy and Security: Safeguarding sensitive information in AI applications is a critical concern.
  • Global Governance Gaps: Lack of standardized international regulations for AI development and deployment.
  • AI Accessibility Divide: Limited access to AI technology in developing nations, creating technological disparities.
  • AI Weaponization Risks: Potential misuse of AI for surveillance, cyber warfare, and other security threats.
  • Economic Disruptions: AI may displace traditional jobs, causing workforce transitions and skill gaps.

Way Forward:

  • Global Cooperation: Strengthen international collaboration to develop AI governance frameworks.
  • Ethical AI Guidelines: Establish clear principles to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI development.
  • Data Privacy Regulations: Enact robust legal frameworks to safeguard data privacy and security.
  • Capacity Building: Invest in AI education and skill development to bridge workforce gaps.
  • Inclusivity in AI Development: Promote AI accessibility and benefits for developing nations and marginalized communities.
  • AI Safety Institutes: Establish research hubs to assess risks and develop safe AI technologies.
  • Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders for responsible AI innovation.

Conclusion:

The AI Summit in Paris presents a valuable opportunity for India to influence global AI governance, ensuring responsible, ethical, and inclusive technological development. Strengthening collaboration with France further solidifies India’s role as a key player in emerging technologies and promotes international cooperation for a sustainable digital future.

Source: IE

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the significance of India-France collaboration in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). How can India leverage this partnership to address challenges and promote inclusive technological development.