Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris on Tuesday, where Modi cautioned global leaders about the risks of unchecked biases in AI technology.
Addressing a gathering of top officials, industry leaders, and AI researchers, Modi highlighted the need for responsible AI governance. “While AI’s potential is astonishing, we must carefully consider the biases embedded in its design,” he stated. He underscored the importance of ensuring that humanity, not machines, determine the course of AI’s evolution. “We stand at the dawn of an AI age that will shape the destiny of humankind,” he added.
The summit, attended by heads of state, CEOs, and scientists from around 100 nations, aims to establish governance frameworks that balance innovation with ethical safeguards. Key attendees include U.S. Vice President JD Vance, on his first official overseas trip, and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing. Macron, speaking ahead of the event, emphasised that AI presents a unique technological and scientific revolution, adding, “It is up to us to ensure AI serves humanity.”
A major initiative launched at the summit, “Current AI,” seeks to foster large-scale public-private partnerships for AI-driven advancements in health, education, and environmental sustainability. Modi emphasised that AI governance should not merely regulate competition but also promote equitable access to technology to prevent deepening digital divides.
Speaking about India’s AI Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that India, given its vast diversity, is developing its own Large Language Model for artificial intelligence. He emphasised India's commitment to sharing its expertise to ensure AI’s benefits are accessible to all.
During his address at the summit, Modi announced that India would host the next edition of the summit, further reinforcing its role in shaping global AI governance.
On the sidelines of the event, Modi also met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Sharing details of the meeting on X, he wrote, "Happy to have met UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres in Paris."
In his speech at the summit, Guterres underscored the need to bridge the AI divide, warning against a future where artificial intelligence creates a world of "haves" and "have-nots."
Modi received a warm welcome in Paris, with members of the Indian diaspora gathering despite the cold weather. “A memorable welcome in Paris! The Indian community’s enthusiasm was heartwarming,” Modi posted on social media.
During a private dinner at the Élysée Palace, Modi also met JD Vance, marking his first engagement with the Trump administration’s leadership ahead of his US visit. Congratulating Vance on his electoral victory, Modi signalled India’s intent to strengthen strategic ties with Washington.
Vance endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s views on Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing that AI will enhance human productivity rather than replace workers. "I appreciate Prime Minister Modi's point. AI, I really believe, will facilitate and make people more productive. It is not going to replace human beings—it will never replace human beings," Vance stated.
He criticised the prevailing fears about AI-driven job losses, arguing that industry leaders often overlook its true potential. "Too many leaders in the AI industry, when they talk about the fears of replacing workers, really miss the point. AI is going to make us more productive, prosperous, and free," he said.
Modi’s visit to France is part of a broader diplomatic effort to strengthen India-France ties. Following the summit, he and Macron will travel to Marseille to inaugurate an Indian consulate and visit the ITER nuclear research facility. The leaders are also expected to finalise a defence agreement involving the procurement of 26 Rafale fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines, a deal that has reached its final negotiation phase.
The summit underscores Europe’s bid to assert its role in AI governance amid US-China technological competition. With AI reshaping industries and global dynamics, Modi and Macron’s leadership at the summit aims to position their nations as key players in this transformative era.
Modi’s US visit: Trade, tech, and tensions on the agenda
Following the AI Summit, the Indian Prime Minister will visit the United States on February 12-13 at the invitation of President Donald Trump. This will mark the first meeting between the two leaders since Trump assumed office for his second term. Modi will also be the fourth global leader to visit the US following Trump’s re-election.
The visit aims to build upon the robust India-US Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting an ambitious roadmap for a trusted and mutually beneficial relationship across key sectors. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, nuclear energy, defence, critical and emerging technologies, counter-terrorism, and the Indo-Pacific region.
However, differences over trade policies, which Trump refers to as the need for “fair trade,” as well as issues related to illegal migration and visa delays, will also feature in talks. India is expected to seek Trump’s cooperation in advancing key initiatives such as iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies) and IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), both launched under the Biden administration.
Despite Trump’s threats of imposing higher tariffs on India and other nations, the Modi government is likely to push for a mini trade deal—if not a full-fledged agreement—to reinstate India’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) benefits, which were revoked in 2019, while offering the US greater market access.
Soon after Donald Trump was projected as the winner in last year’s US elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him, calling the Republican leader “my friend” and why wouldn’t he. During Trump’s first term, he and Modi shared a strong personal rapport, marked by high-profile events such as the "Howdy, Modi!" rally in Houston and "Namaste Trump" in India.
However, as Modi prepares to meet Trump in his second term, the geopolitical landscape has grown more complex. Key issues such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s expanding influence in Asia, immigration policies, and bilateral trade disputes remain uncertain points of discussion between the two leaders.
While some diplomats and foreign policy experts remain optimistic about continued cooperation, others urge caution, warning that Trump’s unpredictable leadership style could introduce new challenges. India-U.S. ties, they say, cannot be taken for granted.
Modi is also expected to engage with top business leaders, and a potential meeting with Elon Musk has not been ruled out.
