Washington, DC: During a crucial discussion at the White House between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump, AI (artificial intelligence), semiconductors, and next-gen technologies were the main focus.  

Both countries launched the TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology) initiative to boost tech ties with a focus on AI, machine learning, space, intelligent transportation systems,  connected vehicles, next-generation telecommunications, future biomanufacturing,  and semiconductors. This announcement included INDUS innovation, AI infrastructure advancements, strengthening collaboration space and scientific research, and strong supply chains. 

To strengthen the TRUST initiative, both leaders pledged to work with businesses to create a strategy by the end of the year to boost the AI structure in India using American technology. This strategy will tackle challenges related to funding, building, powering, and connecting this infrastructure.

Both leaders celebrated 2025 as a year for their space collaboration. Their plans include a joint NASA-ISRO and Axiom Space mission to send the first Indian astronauts to the ISS (International Space Station) and launch a new joint mission called NISAR to map changes on Earth.

Ashok Chandak, President of IESA (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association) said, “This partnership has grown into one of the most significant in the 21st century, addressing strategic, economic, and technological priorities,”

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/modi-trump-talks-ai-hi-tech-semiconductors-in-focus-as-india-us-pledge-to-boost-tech-ties/articleshow/118255343.cms?from=mdr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is co-charing the AI Action Summit in France along with French President Emmanuel Macron. At this summit, Modi stated that India is developing its own LLP (large language model) in a PPP (public-private partnership) model.

He said, “We also have a unique public-private partnership model for pooling resources like compute power”.

Earlier in January, Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed that India is planning to develop its own generative AI model at the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave.

At France Summit, PM Modi said, ‘India is building its own large language model considering our diversity. We also have a unique public-private partnership model for pooling resources like compute power. It is made available to our startups and researchers at an affordable cost. India is ready to share its experience and expertise to ensure that the future of AI is for good and for all’.

He said, India is embracing the dawn of AI but the human element will always be essential.

“We are at the dawn of the AI age that will shape the course of humanity. Some people worry about machines becoming superior in intelligence to humans. But no one holds the key to our collective future and shared destiny other than us humans. That sense of responsibility must guide us,” PM Modi said.

He highlighted India’s open and accessible digital infrastructure, mentioning the successful UPI network.

He said, “India has successfully built a digital public infrastructure for over 1.4 billion people at a very low cost. It is built around an open and accessible network. It has regulations and a wide range of applications to modernise our economy, reform governance and transform the lives of our people,”.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/india-developing-own-large-language-model-says-pm-narendra-modi-at-ai-action-summit-in-france-7686237

The Paris AI Action Summit is co-chaired by India, France, and leaders from Canada, the United States, China, and other major tech companies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by President of France Emmanuel Macron. This summit is a big deal for AI (artificial intelligence) future and India has a chance to lead the Global South in AI.

The United States holds a dominant position in AI globally with President Donald Trump’s announcement of an ambitious $500 billion Stargate with Sam Altman and Masa Son on the second day of his second term.

The ongoing Paris AI Action Summit is prioritising six key areas i.e. accessible AI, ethical development, decentralized innovation, the future of work, sustainability, and international cooperation.

Many shared priorities align with India’s and France’s strengths. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) success (like Aadhaar) demonstrates its ability to bridge digital divides, a model it could apply to AI. France aims to highlight Europe’s commitment to ethical and sustainable AI, using its nuclear power infrastructure to support clean AI data centres. Macron also announced a €109 billion investment in AI infrastructure and R&D.

As a co-chair of this Summit, India has positioned itself as a key AI player in the world. The country’s strong economy, 1.4 billion population, and DPI success rate can extend India’s leadership to AI safety and ethics for the Global South.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/paris-ai-action-summit-india-lead-global-south-9829576/

Kolkata: IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology) Shibpur, a 169-year-old institution with a rich history, is making Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) a compulsory subject for all first-year students starting from the next academic session.

This means students across all engineering disciplines will have to take this course, not only those with computer science.

VMSR Murthy, Director IIEST said, ‘As per the NEP 2020, the institute’s Senate in principle agreed to the introduction of a mandatory artificial intelligence course for all first-year students across disciplines in the first semester. Since it is an emerging field and AI applications are growing in all domains, it was thought that irrespective of discipline,  students must be equipped with the basic knowledge of AI. We are in the process of finalising the course curriculum’.

Arindam Biswas, professor at IT department said, ‘The students will learn the basic concepts of AI and ML along with deep learning. They will get an understanding of the learning processes of AI, like supervised and unsupervised learning, and how to use AI in decision-making and problem-solving. This basic knowledge will help them in future applications of AI in specific engineering areas later.’

By making AI and ML courses mandatory, IIEST will make graduates skilled and equipped with the fundamental knowledge to become successful in an AI-driven world. This decision reflects the institute’s willingness to adapt and innovate to the evolving requirements of today’s industry.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/169-year-old-iiest-set-to-take-new-age-ai-leap/articleshow/118125402.cms

India’s leading news organisations are filing a lawsuit against OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT) for using their copyrighted content without permission to train their AI (artificial intelligence) chatbot.

The involved media houses include some of the oldest ones such as The Indian Express, The India Today Group, The Hindu, billionaire Gautam Adani-owned NDTV, and many others.

However, OpenAI denied the allegations and said it uses ‘publicly available data’.

In his recent visit to India, Sam Altman CEO of OpenAI seemed impressed by the country’s AI potential and said it should be among the leaders in the AI revolution.

The lawsuit was initially filed in the Delhi High Court in November 2024 by ANI (Asian News International), India’s largest news agency. Now, dozens of India’s leading media organisations are joining this legal action.

These media houses claim that OpenAI has used their copyrighted content to train ChatGPT without their permission. As this is a clear violation of copyright law, they are seeking financial compensation for this unauthorised use and a court order to stop OpenAI from doing the same in the future.

Publishers, artists, and news organisations worldwide have filed at least a dozen lawsuits against OpenAI, accusing ChatGPT of copyright infringement.

Vibhav Mithal, AI lawyer (Anand and Anand) said, ‘A decision by any court would also hold some persuasive value for other similar cases around the world’.

He said ANI’s lawsuit verdict could ‘define how these AI models will operate in the future’ and ‘what copyrighted news content can be used to train AI generative models [like ChatGPT]’.

‘But a ruling in OpenAI’s favour will lead to more freedom to use copyrighted protected data to train AI models’, he added.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7ze00ly1zo

A recent survey by LocalCircles revealed that 50% of Indian internet users use AI (artificial intelligence) platforms specifically ChatGPT.  Of these users, 90% use text mode and 10% prefer voice mode.

Looking at the increasing usage of AI tools among internet users in India, the Finance Ministry has issued a new directive about AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek about their usage.

According to Reuters, the Finance Ministry in India has restricted the use of AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official work due to data security concerns.

Reuters quoted, “It has been determined that AI tools and AI apps (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek etc.) in the office computers and devices pose risks for confidentiality of (government) data and documents”.

So, is ChatGPT banned in India?

No, ChatGPT is not banned in India. However, its usage is restricted within a few government departments. Government employees are not permitted to use ChatGPT on devices used for work. The primary reason for this restriction is the data security concern and potential misuse but the general public can use and access it.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/ai/artificial-intelligence/is-chatgpt-banned-in-india-check-the-new-government-directive-on-ai-tools-and-risks-for-confidentiality-11738736400261.html

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI seems to have a perspective change on India’s AI (artificial intelligence) plans. Initially (last year) he was doubtful about India’s potential to compete in the development of foundational AI models as the associated cost was high.

However, during his recent visit to India, he expressed optimism and acknowledged the country’s swift progress in the AI landscape. Now, he believes the country has the potential to be a global leader in AI.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Altman said ‘India should go for the full-stack approach in Artificial Intelligence’.

Altman has significantly revised his recommendations for India’s AI development since his 2023 visit. In the initial visit, responding to a question he had said, “It is totally hopeless to compete with us on training foundation models,”.

He had suggested that government and business resources would be better spent elsewhere. In the interview on Wednesday, he said “That was in a different context”. “That was a time when frontier models were super-expensive to do”.

“If you look at the cost curve of AI, we have been able to reduce the cost of a given level of intelligence about 10x every 12 months, which is unbelievably more powerful than Moore’s law,” he added.

In the interview, Altman said “India will build great models’. While not revealing exact numbers, Altman confirmed India as OpenAI’s second-biggest market after the US, with user growth tripling in the last year.

He said, “ think this is one of these rare things that transcends national borders. AI is like the wheel and the fire and the Industrial Revolution and the agricultural revolution. That is not a country thing. It belongs to everybody”.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hopeless-to-incredible-sam-altman-changes-his-mind-on-india-s-ai-plans-101738780851523.html