The summit attracted top leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. Guterres called for a $3 billion fund to help poorer nations develop AI skills and infrastructure, emphasizing that AI’s future should be inclusive and not controlled by a few wealthy countries or individuals.
India is leveraging its massive digital growth and public infrastructure, like its digital ID and online payment systems, as models for affordable AI deployment, particularly for developing countries. Modi stressed the importance of democratizing AI to empower the Global South, positioning India as a bridge between advanced economies and emerging markets.
In separate talks with tech leaders, many outlined plans to invest heavily in India’s AI future and committed to developing AI that is inclusive and multilingual. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman announced a collaboration with India’s Tata Group to build AI initiatives and data center infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of democratizing AI for fairness and safety.
India’s internet user base, nearly 1 billion strong, makes it a crucial market for global tech giants expanding their AI businesses. Recent investment pledges include Microsoft’s $17.5 billion, Google’s $15 billion, and Amazon’s $35 billion commitments over the next few years, focusing on AI-driven digital growth and data center expansion.
Despite these advances, India faces challenges in developing its own large-scale AI models like OpenAI in the U.S. or DeepSeek in China. Issues such as limited access to advanced chips, data centers, and the complexity of hundreds of local languages remain hurdles.
Still, India’s determination to build and share AI technology shows a new chapter in the global tech story—one where innovation is inclusive, far-reaching, and shaped by a diverse set of voices and needs.
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