Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
3 min read Last Updated: March 29, 2024 | 10:21 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates held a wide-ranging discussion touching on key themes like Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change mitigation, women empowerment etc. The two leaders highlighted the intersection of technology, sustainability and social progress globally, as well as India’s digital advancement.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that agriculture, education and health are key sectors where technology can make a significant contribution. He expressed his commitment to bridge the digital divide in India and ensure access to technology for all, with special emphasis on initiatives such as cervical cancer research and girl child vaccination drive.
Commenting on India’s successful chairmanship of the G20 summit last year, the Prime Minister said, “We had extensive discussions ahead of the G20 summit and as you are all aware, the progress of the summit has changed dramatically. I believe that we have now aligned with the core purpose and objectives of the G20 and have brought it into the mainstream. I hope that your direct experience will resonate with this sentiment.”
“During the G20 summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed interest in the country’s digital revolution. I explained to them that we have been democratizing technology to prevent monopolies,” he added.
Bill Gates lauded India’s progress in technology, especially AI innovation. “India is not just adapting technology, it is actually leading the way,” he said, adding that the country is introducing a “digital government.”
“The G20 had some serious discussions about things like digital innovation and how South-South cooperation can go beyond just talking to the North,” said Gates. “Our Foundation is very impressed with the work that has been accomplished so far in India and we want to partner with you in spreading that to many other countries.”
On the issue of climate change, PM Modi called for redefining development parameters to prioritise sustainability and floated concepts such as green GDP and green jobs. On AI, he warned against viewing it as a “magic solution” or a substitute for human effort. He also emphasised that technology, including platforms like ChatGPT, is crucial for personal and professional upliftment. The PM demonstrated facial recognition technology through his app, highlighting the democratisation of technology and its availability to everyone, especially in rural areas.
At the grassroots level, PM Modi spoke about initiatives like the “Namo Drone Didi” scheme for farmers and telemedicine services for patient care in remote areas. He highlighted the transformative potential of digital technology in education and its pivotal role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions, we were lagging behind because we were a colony. Now, we are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, with the digital element at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot from this,” the Prime Minister explained.
Gates added that AI is still in the research phase, and challenges will remain as to how and to what extent it can be used as an effective tool. “AI is still in its early stages,” he said. “It can do things that people think are hard, but it can’t do things that people think are easy. AI seems like a big opportunity, but it also has some challenges that come with it.”
First Published: 29 March 2024 | 12:23 PM IST
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