New Delhi, Feb 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new push for global AI standards on Thursday, seeking mandatory watermarking for digital content to combat the spread of deepfakes. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, which he described as the largest event of its kind, the Prime Minister noted that the Global South takes great pride in India hosting such a significant dialogue on the future of technology.
“India sees destiny, not fear, in AI,” the Prime Minister remarked, pointing to the nation’s vast tech talent pool and youth population as reasons for optimism. He encouraged international firms to utilize India’s energy capacity and policy clarity to develop new tools. During the summit, he also recognized three Indian companies that successfully launched their own AI models and applications, portraying the country as a leader in both developing and adopting new systems.
The Prime Minister expressed a firm stance on the necessity of making the AI space safe for families and children. He stated that just as school syllabi are carefully curated, the digital landscape requires similar guidance to protect younger generations. He affirmed that human beings must never be reduced to mere data points and compared the ideal role of AI to a GPS system that provides directions while leaving the final turn to the driver.
To ensure accountability, the Prime Minister called for a democratic approach to technology where the command remains with people. He maintained that the world is currently split between those who dread the advancement of AI and those who embrace it as an inevitable step forward. By advocating for “open sky” development under robust oversight, he suggested that India’s approach would prevent the technology from becoming a tool of exclusion or misinformation.
