Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underscored the need for the development of artificial intelligence to secure national systems, calling upon the nation's scientists and researchers to leverage new-age technologies for the benefit of humanity. Speaking at the ‘Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave’ held on Tuesday, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformative potential of AI while cautioning that its outputs must be rigorously vetted by human experts.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that while AI offers the capability to provide quick answers and automate complex tasks to boost productivity, it must not undermine independent thinking. He stated that researchers should use the time saved through technological integration to focus on more complex problems, innovative experiments, and the validation of new ideas. He explicitly noted that testing the veracity of AI-generated information remains a primary responsibility of the scientist.
The discussion comes as the national government moves forward with drafting a comprehensive consultation paper on India’s AI policy amid growing global debates regarding the regulation of these technologies. During the conclave, the Prime Minister expressed concerns regarding cybersecurity threats in the digital age, particularly those targeting financial networks and national security infrastructure. He urged the scientific community to prioritize the development of AI-based and quantum security solutions to build a resilient defensive shield for the country's digital systems.
Outlining his vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), the Prime Minister asserted that the country’s progress would be fundamentally anchored in robust scientific research, original discoveries, and continuous innovation. He challenged researchers, startup founders, industry leaders, and students to establish concrete three-year targets. These goals should focus on creating specific technologies, prototypes, pilot projects, or commercial products that could help position India as a global nerve center for technological solutions.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of nurturing a generation that acts as a leader in emerging science and technology rather than merely a passive participant. He called for an expansion of the country’s strength in critical technologies to ensure a leading role on the international stage. This directive is part of a broader push to cultivate an ecosystem where academic and industrial sectors collaborate to solve real-world problems.
As the government works toward its national policy framework, the Prime Minister’s remarks signal an emphasis on balancing rapid technological adoption with safety protocols. The call to action is intended to encourage the private sector and academic institutions to align their research efforts with long-term national interests. By integrating quantum computing and advanced AI, the government aims to mitigate the risks associated with evolving cyber threats while harnessing the power of automation to improve governance and service delivery.
Ultimately, the government’s stance focuses on fostering a proactive environment for deep-tech development. By encouraging the creation of home-grown prototypes and pilot projects, the leadership intends to reduce reliance on external technologies. The emphasis remains on developing a sovereign, secure, and innovative technological foundation that can sustain the needs of a growing, diverse population while addressing the complex security challenges of the modern era.
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