India’s Role in the AI Revolution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an in-depth conversation with Lex Fridman, detailed India’s aspirations in artificial intelligence, the increasing global recognition of Indian talent, and the vital importance of human intelligence in technological development.
In this extensive discussion lasting nearly two and a half hours, PM Modi highlighted India’s critical contribution to the AI movement, underscoring the notion that no country can solely drive AI innovation. PM Modi remarked that India’s involvement is crucial, stating that India’s absence would leave AI development incomplete. He questioned the feasibility of any country developing AI independently.
Despite being viewed as a newcomer in the AI realm, India is swiftly progressing, paralleling its groundbreaking 5G implementation. PM Modi illustrated this by referencing the initial doubts regarding India’s 5G capabilities, stating that once the country began its rollout, it quickly became the fastest to establish comprehensive 5G networks.
He also recounted that a tech leader from the United States recently expressed concerns about filling engineering positions locally, contrasting it with the immense number of applicants in India, suggesting that a football field would not suffice to accommodate them.
According to PM Modi, India’s expansive talent pool is its greatest asset. He asserted that “Artificial intelligence is fundamentally powered, shaped, and guided by human intelligence. The richest reservoir of that intelligence is found in India’s youth and talent pool.”
Furthermore, PM Modi acknowledged the significant impact of Indian-origin executives in the global technology landscape, mentioning figures like Sundar Pichai of Google, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Aravind Srinivas of Perplexity AI.
He elaborated on the cultural perspective that fosters this success, stating that “Indian culture emphasises that there should be equal respect for the place where you’re born and the place where you work.” He continued to explain that the ability to work cohesively within teams holds greater importance than mere knowledge, noting that Indians nurtured in joint families and open societies often develop leadership qualities and problem-solving skills, facilitating their ascent into influential roles within major corporations.
Additionally, PM Modi addressed India’s emerging prominence in space exploration and entrepreneurship, revealing that following the sector’s liberalisation, over 200 private companies are now engaged in space technology.
He pointed out the cost-effectiveness of missions like Chandrayaan, highlighting that the budget for India’s lunar mission was less than the expense of producing a single Hollywood blockbuster. He suggested that this efficiency prompts global interest in partnering with India.
When discussing concerns that AI might supplant humans, PM Modi rejected the idea of a struggle between technology and humanity, asserting that people have historically adjusted to advancements in technology. He remarked that it is humans who find optimal ways to leverage technology to their benefit. He expressed his belief that AI challenges humans to contemplate the essence of humanity, noting this as the profound potential of AI.
While acknowledging AI’s abilities to create, generate, and predict, PM Modi underscored a critical limitation of AI: the innate human capacity to care and empathise. He posed the question, “Can AI replicate that?”
PM Modi called for international cooperation in AI, framing it as a collective endeavour rather than a rivalry. He reaffirmed that India is not merely focused on theoretical AI models but is also developing practical AI applications supported by an innovative and accessible GPU marketplace.