Paris AI Summit 2025: India’s Strategic Role in Global AI Governance and Innovation

Syllabus: International Relations, Science & Technology, Economy, National Security, Climate Change

Context:

The Paris AI Action Summit, co-chaired by India and France (Feb 10-11, 2025), aimed at advancing discussions on AI governance, innovation, and ethical AI development. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable AI for People and the Planet, reinforcing commitments to responsible AI deployment, equitable access, and global collaboration.

About Paris AI Summit 2025

Objectives of the Summit

• Ensuring AI Safety & Governance: Establishing global frameworks for AI regulation.
• Bridging the AI Divide: Promoting equitable AI access across developed and developing nations.
• Fostering AI for Public Good: Encouraging ethical AI adoption in governance, healthcare, and education.
• Strengthening AI Research & Development: Supporting AI-driven innovation for economic growth.
• Addressing AI in Geopolitics: Balancing AI influence between the US, China, and the Global South.
• AI and Climate Change: Discussing the role of AI in monitoring environmental changes and reducing carbon footprints.
• AI in Defense and Security: Examining AI applications in cybersecurity and military technologies while addressing associated risks.

Major Participants

• World Leaders: Representatives from US, EU, China, Germany, India, Japan, the UN, and emerging AI economies.
• Tech Industry Leaders: CEOs from Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, DeepMind, NVIDIA, and AI-driven startups.
• Policy & Regulatory Experts: AI governance leaders from OECD, UNESCO, ITU, and WEF.
• Academia and Research Institutes: AI think tanks and universities focusing on AI ethics, quantum computing, and machine learning.

Major Outcomes of the AI Action Summit

1. Global AI Governance Framework

• Establishment of common AI regulatory principles to guide responsible AI deployment.
• Collaboration with the OECD AI Policy Observatory for oversight and compliance.
• Formation of a Global AI Council to streamline AI-related laws across nations.

2. Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable AI

• Objective: Mitigating AI’s carbon footprint and promoting energy-efficient AI models.
• Launched by: France, with support from UNEP, ITU, and India as a founding member.
• Key Pledge: Reduce AI-related emissions by 30% by 2030.
• India’s Role: Leveraging AI in smart grids, sustainable urban planning, and disaster management.

3. ‘Current AI’ Initiative – AI for Public Good

• A global partnership focused on AI-driven healthcare, agriculture, disaster resilience, and smart governance.
• Funding Target: Raise $2.5 billion over the next five years.
• India’s Role: Partnering with EU nations, African countries, and ASEAN economies for AI-based social impact projects.

4. Paris Charter for AI Ethics and Accountability

• Encourages scientific transparency and open AI development.
• Enforces accountability mechanisms at every stage of AI design and deployment.
• India fully adopted the charter and emphasized democratic AI governance.
• Special focus: Ensuring AI algorithms are free from biases and misinformation.

5. Paris Declaration on AI in Warfare

• Emphasizes maintaining human control over AI-enabled weapon systems.
• Calls for banning AI-based autonomous lethal weapons without human oversight.
• India did not endorse the declaration, citing strategic defense considerations.

Challenges in Global AI Governance

• Corporate AI Monopoly: AI leadership remains concentrated among a few Western tech giants.
• Regulatory Fragmentation: Varying AI policies across US, EU, China, and India delay global consensus.
• Ethical AI Risks: Bias in AI algorithms, misinformation, and job displacement concerns.
• Security Threats: AI-driven cyberattacks, deepfakes, and mass surveillance risks remain unresolved.
• Data Privacy Concerns: The need for global AI data-sharing policies while maintaining individual privacy protections.
• AI’s Economic Disruption: The potential impact on job markets due to automation and AI-driven layoffs.

Opportunities for India Post-Summit

• Advocating AI for the Global South: Strengthening AI equity, inclusivity, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Expanding AI Partnerships: Deepening collaboration with France, the EU, ASEAN, and AI research institutes.
• Promoting India’s AI Leadership: Showcasing India’s AI Safety Institute and indigenous AI models.
• Strengthening AI-driven Economic Growth: Enhancing India’s AI-driven exports, innovation hubs, and digital economy.
• Developing AI-based Governance Models: Using AI in smart cities, digital infrastructure, and public administration.
• Investing in AI & Quantum Computing: Expanding AI research in defense, cryptography, and next-gen computing.

Future Roadmap for AI Governance

With increasing AI integration in global governance, India aims to:

• Establish an AI Ethics and Safety Board to monitor AI policies and ensure ethical compliance.
• Host the AI Global Summit 2026, positioning India as a leader in AI diplomacy.
• Expand AI Education and Research, training future AI professionals and integrating AI in public policy.
• Develop AI-driven solutions for healthcare, agriculture, and public sector efficiency.
• Enhance AI-based Cybersecurity Measures to protect against AI-driven threats and cyberattacks.
• Implement AI in Climate Monitoring to aid in predicting environmental changes and disaster preparedness.

Conclusion

India’s active participation in the Paris AI Summit 2025 reaffirms its role in shaping global AI governance. As AI continues to evolve, India’s commitment to ethical AI, equitable access, and sustainable innovation will be crucial in driving a balanced, inclusive AI future. By strengthening AI collaborations, advocating for fair AI governance, and focusing on AI-driven solutions for climate change and cybersecurity, India is set to play a key role in the AI landscape of the future.

MAINS QUESTION

GS Paper 2 – International Relations & Governance

“The AI divide is the new digital divide.” In the context of the Paris AI Summit 2025, analyze India’s role in bridging the global AI divide and advocating for AI democratization.

GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology, Economy, Environment, Security

AI-driven automation has significant implications for economic growth and job creation. Analyze the impact of AI on India’s digital economy and workforce in light of the Paris AI Summit 2025 discussions.

Essay Paper

Artificial Intelligence: A Tool for Progress or a Threat to Global Stability?