Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized the need for investment in skilling and re-skilling people to prepare for an AI-driven future. Speaking at the AI Action Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, he acknowledged that the biggest concern surrounding AI is the potential loss of jobs. However, he highlighted that history has shown that technology doesn’t eliminate jobs but changes their nature. “We need to invest in skilling and re-skilling our people for an AI-driven future,” the Prime Minister stated.

PM Modi, who is co-chairing the summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, stressed the importance of developing open-source systems that promote trust and transparency. He called for the creation of quality data centers that are free from biases, and emphasized the need to democratize technology with people-centered applications. “We must address concerns related to cybersecurity, disinformation, and deepfakes,” he added.

The Prime Minister also noted the need for AI technology to be rooted in local ecosystems to ensure its effectiveness. He pointed out that AI is evolving at an unprecedented scale and speed, with rapid deployment worldwide, making global cooperation essential. “There is a deep interdependence across borders, and we must work together to establish governance frameworks and standards that uphold our shared values, mitigate risks, and build trust,” Modi said.

He also stressed that governance should ensure access for all, particularly in the Global South, where capabilities are often lacking in terms of power, talent, data, and financial resources. Modi highlighted AI’s potential to transform millions of lives by improving sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, making the path to sustainable development goals quicker and more accessible. To achieve this, he said, it is crucial to pool resources and talent, develop open-source systems that foster trust and transparency, and build unbiased quality data sets.