New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday underscored that the world’s trust in India represents its greatest strength, calling for Indian Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to adhere to ethical, unbiased, and transparent practices grounded in data privacy principles. Speaking at a roundtable with Indian AI startups ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Modi urged entrepreneurs to strive for global leadership while promoting affordable and inclusive AI solutions, as well as frugal innovation on an international scale.
During the meeting, Modi articulated that Indian AI models should be uniquely characterized by local content and regional languages, as stated in an official release. He emphasized that startups and AI innovators are integral to shaping the future of the country, reinforcing the notion that a collaborative approach is essential for progress.
Attended by representatives from 12 Indian AI startups qualified for the ‘AI for ALL: Global Impact Challenge’ summit set for next month, the dialogue featured presentations on innovative ideas and projects. Modi pointed out that AI has the potential to transform society, and he expressed confidence in India’s capacity to leverage this technology for comprehensive transformation.
Modi highlighted that India is making strides towards establishing a distinctive AI model that embodies the spirit of “Made in India, Made for the World.” He asserted that the country possesses vast potential for both innovation and large-scale implementation across diverse sectors.
The startups in attendance are working on a range of applications, including Indian language foundation models, multilingual large language models (LLMs), as well as advancements in areas like speech-to-text, text-to-audio, and text-to-video technologies. Other focus areas include the development of 3D content using generative AI for e-commerce and marketing, engineering simulations, and healthcare diagnostics.
Leaders from the AI sector commended India’s commitment to fostering a robust AI ecosystem, noting the rapid growth and potential of the industry. They observed that the center of gravity for AI innovation is increasingly shifting toward India, which is establishing itself firmly on the global AI map.
The meeting included notable figures such as the CEOs and heads of various AI startups, including Avataar, BharatGen, Fractal, Gan, Genloop, Gnani, Intellihealth, Sarvam, Shodh AI, Soket AI, Tech Mahindra, and Zenteiq. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Jitin Prasada were also present during the discussions.
This roundtable represents a significant step in positioning India as a leader in the AI landscape, as government and industry leaders collaborate to harness the technology’s potential. With the upcoming summit, India aims to further solidify its role in the global technology sector, showcasing its advancements and commitment to ethical AI practices.
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