Paris & Delhi: Partnering for stability in a volatile world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France earlier this month, comprised two components - the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, and a deepening of Indo-French bilateral ties.

- Harsh V Pant Shairee Malhotra

Building on the summits that took place in the UK and South Korea, the Paris Summit endeavoured to reinforce the development of AI research and applications for the public good.

In line with the human-centric framework advocated during its G20 presidency, India aims to distribute the benefits of AI equitably amongst its population, while advocating for the AI needs of the wider Global South. India's National AI Mission draws from similar principles of openness and accessibility underpinning India's successful Digital Public Infrastructure that is rapidly transforming its society and economy. The International Monetary Fund estimates that more Indians will use AI every day than in any other country before the end of this decade, making India central to any global framework on AI.

By partnering now on AI and launching an India-France AI Roadmap, the two countries are embarking on a joint path to shaping the future of responsible AI development, while also attempting to bridge the North-South AI divide. Combining both experiences, the two countries are also well-positioned to ideate solutions mitigating AI's growing carbon footprint based on its high energy needs.

However, it's important to keep in mind fundamental divergences in approaches. As a member of the European Union (EU), France adheres to the EU AI Act, which uses a risk-based approach to AI systems and is the world's most comprehensive and stringent legislation so far on AI regulation. On the other hand, India is wary of over-regulation stifling its innovation ecosystem. Yet domestic debates demonstrate India's willingness to adopt a regulatory framework on AI that balances the twin imperatives of safety and innovation while protecting individual rights. Here the European model offers a useful case study.