By: Musaib Bilal
Summits are designed to unite nations, establish new policies, and specify directions for group advancement. They provide forums to discuss breakthroughs, address emerging challenges, and confront global crises. The 2025 AI Summit was no different. Organized jointly by India and France, the summit aimed to establish ethical standards, promote diversity, and regulate AI to curb its unchecked expansion while maximizing its benefits.
France and India co-hosted the AI Summit 2025 with a shared vision: to ensure that artificial intelligence serves humanity rather than dominates it. Both nations emphasized inclusivity, with India advocating for the participation of the Global South in AI development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of integrating Africa and other underrepresented regions into the AI revolution, pointing out the significant data gaps in South African nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, stressing the necessity of global cooperation to regulate AI before it evolved into an uncontrollable force. Beyond inclusivity, both nations highlighted the need for AI regulation to prevent monopolization by a few dominant countries and corporations. The summit underscored the risks of unregulated AI, particularly in areas such as misinformation, bias in decision-making, and cybersecurity threats. Macron specifically warned against the misuse of AI in warfare, emphasizing that global oversight was essential.
The core discussions at the summit revolved around key themes, including AI ethics, regulations, resource sustainability, and economic implications. A pressing concern was the potential for AI to evolve into a super AI before 2030—an entity too complex and powerful to control. India took a firm stance on the issue, advocating for ethical AI regulation to ensure it remained an asset rather than a threat.
Prime Minister Modi laid out a clear vision for AI development. He called for open-source AI systems to ensure equitable access and prevent monopolies from controlling advancements. He also emphasized the need to promote green energy in AI infrastructure, ensuring that AI’s growth does not come at the cost of environmental destruction. Integrating AI into key sectors such as healthcare, education, security, and governance was another priority, demonstrating its benefits while mitigating risks. Modi further stressed the importance of ensuring AI does not widen the digital divide, calling for global collaboration to prevent monopolization by a few powerful nations. Strengthening AI cybersecurity measures to prevent AI-driven cyber threats and reinforce digital safety worldwide was also a crucial point in his address.
India strongly advocated for the regulation of resources used for AI. Green energy was a major topic of discussion, but not all countries were in agreement. While several European nations supported sustainable AI development, the United States and the United Kingdom resisted, given their continued reliance on oil and fossil fuels as primary energy sources. The summit also explored AI’s role in global trade, finance, and geopolitics.
With AI-driven automation reshaping industries, leaders debated the necessity of new regulations to prevent economic imbalances. Concerns were raised about AI’s potential for financial fraud, data privacy breaches, and the rise of autonomous decision-making in global economic policies. France’s address at the summit focused on the necessity of AI governance, emphasizing that unregulated AI could lead to security threats, deepfake manipulation, and even autonomous weaponry. Macron reinforced the idea that without collective responsibility, AI could become the biggest crisis of the 21st century.
India’s speech, however, took center stage. Modi emphasized that AI should not be a tool reserved for the privileged but a force for equity. He highlighted India’s contributions, including the development of indigenous AI models, AI supercomputing projects, and its growing tech talent. He also spoke about India’s push for AI in healthcare, particularly in AI-driven diagnostics, which could revolutionize medical accessibility in rural areas. On security, he stressed that AI could be a game-changer in border surveillance and national defense.
A significant portion of Modi’s speech addressed the risks of AI-driven job displacement. He acknowledged global concerns but proposed that AI should augment human potential rather than replace it. His approach focused on AI-driven skill development, ensuring that workers transition into AI-integrated roles rather than becoming obsolete. He also announced initiatives aimed at AI literacy programs to prepare the workforce for AI-driven industries. The AI Summit 2025 saw participation from over 70 nations, including tech leaders such as China, Germany, and Japan.
However, key figures were notably absent, including Russia, which has been developing AI largely outside of global regulatory frameworks. The United States and the UK were present but remained noncommittal on green AI regulations. Criticism of the summit centered on AI’s risks, particularly job automation and potential misuse. While India and France proposed AI governance councils to oversee ethical concerns, skeptics questioned their enforceability. Additionally, there were debates over funding AI research in developing nations, with wealthier countries hesitant to allocate significant resources.
Big tech companies also voiced concerns, seeing regulation as a potential hindrance to innovation. Some industry leaders argued that excessive restrictions could slow AI progress, making it difficult for AI developers to remain competitive. However, supporters of AI regulation countered that unchecked AI development could lead to ethical crises, including bias, surveillance misuse, and lack of accountability in AI decisions.
While the summit made strides in global AI regulation, the absence of stronger commitments from the U.S. and U.K. was a point of contention. The U.S. holds 33% of the world’s data centers, making its involvement crucial. However, the U.S. and U.K. opposed green AI policies, citing their reliance on fossil fuels. This reluctance highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing technological advancements with environmental sustainability. Additionally, representatives from these nations focused more on AI’s potential in defense and economic growth rather than ethical considerations. Their hesitation to join stricter AI regulations raised concerns that without full participation from major AI superpowers, regulatory efforts could be undermined.
Despite these challenges, India remains steadfast in its AI ambitions. It has already initiated projects focusing on AI-driven governance, ethical AI frameworks, and sustainability measures. Moving forward, India plans to continue advocating for global AI inclusivity while ensuring that AI serves as a tool for development rather than domination. The summit also reinforced India’s commitment to AI research and innovation, with new funding initiatives announced for AI startups and research centers.
By investing in homegrown AI solutions, India aims to strengthen its role as a global AI leader rather than merely a consumer of AI technologies developed in the West or China. The AI Summit 2025 marked a significant milestone in shaping the future of AI. While challenges remain—especially in regulation, energy use, and job displacement—the discussions paved the way for a more balanced approach. India’s leadership at the summit reinforced its commitment to ethical AI, inclusivity, and sustainable development. Whether the world will follow India’s vision remains to be seen, but the summit undoubtedly set the foundation for critical discussions in the years to come.
Musaibbilal.216061@gmail.com
