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20 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express
3 min
Science & TechnologyEconomyNEWS

PM Modi Advocates for Embracing AI's Potential, Not Fearing It

Prime Minister Modi urges focus on AI's opportunities, dismissing unwarranted fears about its future.

PM Modi Advocates for Embracing AI's Potential, Not Fearing It

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Prime Minister Modi has called for a shift in perspective towards Artificial Intelligence (AI), advocating for embracing its potential for fortune and future rather than succumbing to fear. Speaking at a technology summit, Modi emphasized AI's transformative capabilities across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and agriculture.

He highlighted the importance of responsible AI development and deployment, ensuring ethical considerations and data privacy are prioritized. Modi's statement reflects India's ambition to be a global leader in AI innovation while addressing potential risks and challenges associated with its adoption.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper III: Science and Technology - Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

2.

Ethical considerations in AI development and deployment

3.

Statement-based questions on AI policy and initiatives

In Simple Words

The Prime Minister wants us to see AI as a good thing, not something to be scared of. He thinks AI can help us make progress in different fields like health and farming.

India Angle

In India, AI could help farmers predict the best time to plant crops or help doctors in rural areas diagnose illnesses faster. This could improve the lives of many Indians.

For Instance

Think of AI like the spam filter on your email. It learns what's important and what's not, saving you time and effort. AI can do the same in many other areas.

AI is coming whether we like it or not, so it's better to understand it and use it to improve our lives. Ignoring it means missing out on opportunities.

Embrace AI, don't fear it – it's the future.

More Information

Background

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved, becoming a transformative force across various sectors. The development of AI can be traced back to the mid-20th century, with significant milestones including the creation of the first AI programs and the development of machine learning algorithms. These advancements have paved the way for AI's integration into healthcare, finance, transportation, and other critical areas. India has recognized the potential of AI and has been actively promoting its development and adoption. The government has launched initiatives such as the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence to foster AI innovation and research. These efforts aim to position India as a global leader in AI, leveraging its capabilities for economic growth and social development. Ethical considerations and data privacy are also being emphasized to ensure responsible AI deployment. The increasing reliance on data and algorithms in AI systems raises important ethical and societal questions. Issues such as bias in algorithms, data privacy, and the potential impact on employment need careful consideration. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure that AI benefits all sections of society and does not exacerbate existing inequalities. The development of robust regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines is essential for responsible AI innovation.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a surge in AI research and development globally. Many countries have launched national AI strategies and are investing heavily in AI education and infrastructure. The European Union has been working on regulations to govern the use of AI, focusing on ethical considerations and data protection. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need for responsible AI development. In India, the government has been promoting the use of AI in various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and education. The NITI Aayog has been playing a key role in formulating AI policies and strategies. Several initiatives have been launched to promote AI research and innovation, such as the establishment of AI centers of excellence and the funding of AI startups. These initiatives aim to create a vibrant AI ecosystem in India. The future of AI is likely to be shaped by ongoing research and development efforts. Areas such as explainable AI, federated learning, and AI ethics are receiving increasing attention. As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, it will be important to address the potential risks and challenges associated with its use. This includes ensuring that AI systems are fair, transparent, and accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Prime Minister Modi's view on AI important for UPSC aspirants?

Prime Minister Modi's perspective on AI is important because it signals the government's priorities and approach towards technology. Understanding this helps aspirants frame their answers in Mains and express informed opinions in the Personality Test. It also provides context for Prelims questions related to science and technology policy.

2. What are the potential benefits of AI that PM Modi highlighted, relevant for Mains answers?

PM Modi emphasized AI's transformative capabilities across various sectors. These include healthcare improvements, advancements in education, and increased efficiency in agriculture. When writing Mains answers, highlighting these specific sectors demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of AI's potential impact and India's developmental priorities.

  • •Healthcare improvements
  • •Advancements in education
  • •Increased efficiency in agriculture
3. What ethical considerations related to AI should be kept in mind for the UPSC exam?

Ethical considerations include responsible AI development, data privacy, and fairness. Aspirants should be prepared to discuss the ethical implications of AI in their Mains answers and during the interview. Understanding the need for regulations and guidelines to govern AI is also crucial.

4. What is the central message of PM Modi's statement on AI?

The central message is to embrace the potential of AI for progress and development, rather than being fearful of its implications. He advocates for a proactive approach to AI, focusing on its opportunities while addressing potential risks through responsible development and ethical guidelines.

5. How can India position itself as a global leader in AI, as suggested by PM Modi?

India can become a global leader by prioritizing responsible AI development, investing in AI education and infrastructure, and establishing ethical guidelines for AI deployment. Focusing on data privacy and ensuring fairness in AI applications are also crucial steps.

6. What are the recent developments in AI globally that are relevant to PM Modi's statement?

Recent developments include increased investment in AI research and development, the launch of national AI strategies by various countries, and the development of AI regulations, particularly by the European Union. These developments highlight a global focus on responsible AI innovation and governance.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI): 1. AI's transformative capabilities are limited to the technology sector. 2. Responsible AI development prioritizes ethical considerations and data privacy. 3. India aims to be a global leader in AI innovation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: AI's transformative capabilities extend across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and agriculture, not just the technology sector. Statement 2 is CORRECT: Responsible AI development indeed prioritizes ethical considerations and data privacy, as emphasized by PM Modi. Statement 3 is CORRECT: India has the ambition to be a global leader in AI innovation, as reflected in Modi's statement.

2. Which of the following sectors were specifically mentioned by PM Modi as areas where AI has transformative capabilities?

  • A.Healthcare and Finance
  • B.Education and Manufacturing
  • C.Agriculture and Defense
  • D.Healthcare, Education, and Agriculture
Show Answer

Answer: D

PM Modi specifically mentioned healthcare, education, and agriculture as sectors where AI has transformative capabilities. While AI has applications in other sectors like finance and defense, they were not explicitly mentioned in the provided summary.

3. Assertion (A): Prime Minister Modi advocated for embracing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Reason (R): AI has transformative capabilities across various sectors and India aims to be a global leader in AI innovation. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
  • B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
  • C.A is true but R is false
  • D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true. PM Modi did advocate for embracing AI's potential, and the reason correctly explains why: AI's transformative capabilities and India's ambition to lead in AI innovation justify this approach.

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