AI ACTION SUMMIT: PM MODI’S KEY MESSAGE
- On February 11, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.
- In his speech, he talked about the global role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), how India can use AI to grow its economy, and the need to focus on sustainability and employment as AI continues to develop.
OPEN SOURCE AI & BIAS FREE MODELS
Open-Source AI Models
- Global Context of Open-Source AI: PM Modi called for countries around the world to work together on open-source AI.
- Open-source AI means that AI tools and models are freely available to the public.
- This allows anyone to use, change, or share them, unlike proprietary AI, which is controlled by large tech companies like OpenAI and Google.
- China’s DeepSeek Model: PM Modi highlighted China’s DeepSeek, a free and
open-source AI model that is disrupting more expensive, closed models like OpenAI’s GPT-3. - DeepSeek has attracted global attention because of how it is freely available for use and modification.
- Western AI Models: Unlike DeepSeek, AI systems from the West are usually closed-source, meaning people can’t use or change them.
- Some experts have raised concerns that this could cause problems with transparency and bias in these systems.
Bias-Free AI Models
- Bias in AI: PM Modi pointed out the need for AI models that do not have any biases, as many models are built using data that might reflect the biases of the creators. This can lead to unfair results.
- Indian Context: AI models built in the West might not be suitable for India, as they may not understand the country’s diverse languages and cultures.
- They might give answers that are not accurate or relevant for India.
- Funding for Indian Models: To address this, the Indian government is funding AI research that is designed specifically for India’s diverse needs, including languages and societal
SUSTAINABILITY IN AI: ENERGY DEMANDS & GREEN POWER
Energy Demands of AI
- AI’s High Energy Consumption: As AI technology gets more advanced, especially with deep learning models, it will need more computing power.
- This will lead to an increase in energy consumption for data centers. Data centers are already responsible for about 1% of global electricity usage, and this will likely grow as AI continues to expand.
- Green Energy for AI Development: PM Modi stressed that AI should be developed using clean energy from sources like solar, wind, or nuclear power, to ensure that the growing energy needs of AI do not harm the environment.
Nuclear Energy as a Solution
- Nuclear Energy: PM Modi suggested that nuclear energy could be a good solution for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI, as it is clean and does not add to carbon emissions.
- Global Sustainability Disagreements: His comments came when countries like the US and UK were hesitant to support the Paris AI Summit declaration because of disagreements over the wording about sustainability and inclusivity in AI.
Efficient AI Design
- Optimizing AI Efficiency: PM Modi also talked about the need for AI systems to be more efficient.
- AI models should use fewer resources, be smaller, and have a lower carbon footprint, to minimize their impact on the environment.
IMPACT OF AI ON JOBS
- PM Modi’s Optimism: While many people are worried that AI will replace jobs, PM Modi expressed optimism.
- He said that AI will not eliminate jobs, but rather change the way we work, making work more productive and rewarding.
- Technological Displacement vs. Transformation: Instead of fearing job losses, PM Modi said the focus should be on adapting to the changing world of work, where AI will help humans, not replace them.
SKILLING & RESKILLING FOR THE FUTURE
- Upskilling the Workforce: PM Modi called for upskilling and re-skilling programs to help workers learn new skills that will be needed in an AI-powered world.
- As AI automates certain tasks, workers must be ready for new roles.
- National Skill Development Initiatives: India has several programs, such as the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Skill India Mission, which help individuals gain the skills necessary to work in jobs where AI can assist them.
CONCERNS AS PER ECONOMIC SURVEY
- Job Uncertainty: The Economic Survey 2023-24 raised concerns that AI could cause uncertainty in India’s job market, especially in low-skill sectors like BPO and customer service, which are at risk of being automated.
- Vulnerable Workforce: Many workers in semi-skilled and unskilled jobs could lose their jobs due to AI, and the government is aware of this challenge.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR JOB TRANSITION
- Building Robust Institutions: The Economic Survey suggested creating institutions that can help workers move into new jobs in higher-skilled areas, like healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing, where AI can support human work rather than replace it.
- AI-Driven Employment Creation: Despite the risks, there is hope that AI will create new job opportunities in fields like AI development, machine learning, and automation engineering.
WORKFORCE GAP IN AI SKILLS
- AI Skill Gap in India: A recent QS study found that India is facing a skills shortage
in AI. - While businesses are eager to hire people with AI expertise, there aren’t enough qualified candidates.
- Critical Skills Gap: Employers are particularly looking for skills in machine learning, data science, and AI infrastructure, but there is a shortage of people with these abilities, leading to a gap between what employers need and the skills available in the workforce.
CONCLUSION
PM Modi’s speech at the AI Action Summit laid out India’s vision for the future of AI. He emphasized the need for open-source, bias-free AI models that reflect India’s diverse culture and languages, and the importance of using green energy, especially nuclear power, to power AI systems sustainably.
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