The global community must ensure the benefits of technology reach all sections of society in order to eliminate inequalities and lay the foundation of an inclusive society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday as he met a galaxy of world leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy.
Participating in an outreach session that focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and energy, Modi called on technology to be creative, not destructive, spoke about the role it played in the recently concluded general elections in India, especially in making the process free and fair, and underlined India’s role in taking up issues of the Global South. Describing the 21st century as an era of technology, Modi said that “technology gives the courage to take man to the moon” but also creates challenges such as cybersecurity.
“Together, we must ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society…help eliminate social inequalities, and expand human strengths instead of limiting them,” he said, speaking in Hindi.
“We must turn monopoly in technology into totality. We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society,” he added.
During the day, Modi, who is on his first overseas visit in his third term, also held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister and host Giorgia Meloni.
His later also had a brief encounter US President Joe Biden as world leaders gathered for a “family photo”.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good,” Modi said in a post on X that was accompanied by four images of him embracing and shaking hands with Biden.
India is among 12 countries and five international organisations invited by Italy, the host of the G7 Summit, to join the outreach session. Given the focus on AI and energy, Modi highlighted the four principles – availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability – that guide India’s approach towards energy.
