Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down with hilanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Friday, discussing a variety of topics, including science, technology and climate. The interaction also saw Gates praising India's digital revolution, hailing that the country was not only adapting technology but leading the way.
Stating that technology can play a big role in agriculture, health, and education, the Prime Minister detailed about the digital revolution in India which saw more women participation. "Women are more open to adopting new technology in India. I have started 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme which is going very successfully. I interact with them these days and they are delighted. They say that they didn't know to ride a bicycle but they are now pilots and can fly drones. The mindset has changed," Modi added.
He also spoke about how his government strive to avoid the digital divide in India. "During the G20 Summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed their curiosity about the digital revolution in the country. I explained to them that we have democratised technology to prevent monopoly. It is by the people and for the people," he added.
Modi said he believed in the democratisation of technology as it gives everyone an equal opportunity and added that he is taking technology to villages.
Modi also stressed how technology is being used to plug the shortcomings of teachers in education. He said digital technology will have a big role in the fourth industrial revolution and he is confident that India will do well.
He also noted how India used the CoWin platform to provide COVID-19 vaccination slots and certificates to people while the world was struggling to do it during the pandemic.
On G20 Summit
Modi spoke about India's successful presidency of the 2023 G20 Summit. "We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit and as you might have seen, the Summit's proceedings took a lot of turns. I believe we have now aligned with G20's core purposes and objectives, bringing them to the mainstream. I hope your first-hand experience echoes this sentiment," Modi said.
To this, Gates said the G20 was way more inclusive, and it "was fantastic to see India hosting it. "It really raised things like digital innovations and how the south-south collaboration can be far more than just the dialogue with the north. Our foundation is so excited about the past results that you have achieved here in India, that we would be a partner in trying to take that into many other countries," he added.
Climate change
Speaking on the issue of climate change, Modi said the world needs to change parameters like use of electricity or steel to define development as it is anti-climate and should instead adopt terminologies like green GDP and green employment.
AI is not to be seen as a 'magic tool'
On the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Modi said it should not be seen as a magic tool or as a replacement for people's laziness to do some work.
The Prime Minister also noted how he used AI during the G20 summit for translating speeches and his addresses in different languages at several events. "A technology like ChatGPT should be used to constantly improve oneself," he added.
Highlighting his use of AI, Modi asked Gates to take a selfie through his (NaMo) app and then showed him how it could be located through the face-recognition technology.