NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates had an engaging discussion on a range of key issues, from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to climate change mitigation and women empowerment. The two leaders shared their insights on the convergence of technology, sustainability and social empowerment on the global stage.
Bill Gates lauded India’s technological advancements and highlighted the country’s pivotal role in AI innovation, while PM Modi highlighted the intrinsic connection between AI and everyday life, delivering a humorous speech about the cry of a newborn baby and the importance of “AI” in Indian society.
The conversation delved further into India’s strategic focus on AI, as exemplified by the significant budgetary allocation for the recently approved comprehensive IndiaAI Mission, which aims to foster a robust AI ecosystem through cross-sector strategic partnerships and initiatives to drive innovation and inclusive development.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted his commitment to women’s empowerment with his innovative “Namo Drone Didi” programme, which trains women in drone operations to promote economic self-reliance and rural development.
The discussion further highlighted India’s ambitious climate change commitments, including the ‘Panchamrit’ pledge announced at the COP26 summit. Prime Minister Modi also unveiled a jacket made from recycled materials, symbolising India’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Discussion points:
India’s Digital Revolution
Sharing his views on India’s digital revolution, PM Modi emphasised on India’s democratisation approach to prevent monopolies. “During the G20 summit in Indonesia, representatives from across the world expressed interest in the country’s digital revolution. I explained to them that we have democratised technology to prevent monopolies. It is by the people and for the people,” the PM said.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates lauded India’s leadership in adopting and promoting technology, especially in the area of governance. “We have a kind of digital government here. India is not just adopting technology, they are actually leading the way…” he said.
India will not tolerate digital divide: PM
During a conversation with philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Modi said he had long heard about the digital divide in the world and was determined to ensure that it did not happen in India.
The Prime Minister also said there was a need for digital public infrastructure, with Gates adding that India was leading the way.
The role and benefits of technology and AI
Prime Minister Modi spoke about integrating AI into various aspects of governance and society, citing initiatives such as the 2023 G20 summit and the NaMo app. The Prime Minister also mentioned how AI was used to translate speeches at the G20 summit and deliver speeches in different languages at several events. Technologies like ChatGPT should always be used to improve ourselves, he said.
He told Gates how AI was leveraged at the 2023 G20 Summit, how his Hindi speech at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam event was translated into Tamil, and how AI is used in the NaMo app.
He also spoke about India’s potential to leverage AI for transformative growth. PM Modi further expressed his excitement about technological advancements in healthcare, agriculture and education. “…historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions, we were left behind because we were a colony. Now, we are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, and the digital component is at the core of it. I am sure India will gain a lot from this,” he said.
He also said, “AI is very important. Sometimes I joke and say that in our country, we call our mothers ‘Ai’. Now, when children are born, they will not only call them AI but also ‘Ai’ because they have become so advanced.”
The Prime Minister also said that AI should not be seen as a magic tool or a replacement for people’s laziness in work.
Deepfakes and related concerns
PM Modi expressed concern over the misuse of AI, especially in generating deepfake content, and suggested measures to mitigate its negative effects. “If such a good thing (AI) is given to people without proper training, there is a high chance of it being misused…I suggested that we should start by putting clear watermarks on AI-generated content, so no one gets confused…In a democracy like India, anyone can use deepfakes…It is crucial to realise that deepfake content is AO generated…We need to think about what to do and what not to do…” he said, adding, “If we use AI as a magic tool, it will probably lead to grave injustice. If we rely on AI out of laziness…it is the wrong path. I would say we should compete with ChatGPT and try to surpass AI…”
Bill Gates also acknowledged the challenges associated with AI, but expressed optimism about the potential positive impact it can have. “AI is still in its early stages. It does things that seem hard, and it fails at things that seem easy. AI seems like a great opportunity, but it also comes with some challenges,” he said.
Namo Drone Didi Project
Elaborating on the Namo Drone Didi scheme, PM Modi highlighted its role in empowering women and bridging the rural digital divide. He said, “When I heard about the digital divide in the world, I wanted to ensure that it doesn’t happen in my country. Digital public infrastructure is a big requirement in itself. Women in India are open to adopting new technologies. I have launched the Namo Drone Didi scheme, which is going very well. I have been interacting with women recently and they are happy. They say they didn’t even know how to ride a bike but now they can become pilots and fly drones. There has been a change in their mindset.”
2023 G20 Summit
Reviewing the extensive discussions ahead of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about aligning with the G20’s core objectives and goals.
“During the G20 summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed interest in our country’s digital revolution. I explained to them that we have democratized technology to prevent monopolies. This is by the people and for the people,” the prime minister said.
Bill Gates also praised India’s inclusive approach to hosting the summit and stressed the importance of digital innovation and South-South cooperation. “We have a kind of digital government here. India is not just embracing technology, it’s actually leading the way…” Gates said.
PM Modi has a childlike curiosity about technology
PM Modi believes in democratising technology to give equal opportunities to all, adding that he is taking technology to villages.
In response to Gates’ question, the prime minister said he was fascinated by technology but not a slave to it. “I’m no expert, but I have a child-like curiosity about technology,” he said.
He also highlighted the “Drone Didi” scheme to enable women to use drones in agriculture and efforts to provide remote medical care to patients.
PM Modi also said that technology is being used to make up for teachers’ shortcomings in education.
He said digital technology would play a major role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and he was confident that India would succeed.
(With input from relevant agencies)
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