Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Wednesday said that India is ready to play a larger global role in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led climate action, while underlining that AI must be deployed alongside human judgement, institutional cooperation and global partnerships to effectively address climate change and build resilience against extreme weather events.
Addressing the “Technology and Innovation Conclave 2.0” at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi, Dr Singh said climate change was “too serious a subject to be left to one nation alone” and could not be mitigated unless countries worked together across borders. The conclave was jointly organised by the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the United Nations ESCAP and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).
He said artificial intelligence must be treated as a powerful tool, not a substitute for human responsibility, emphasising the need for hybrid models that combine AI with human oversight, judgement and empathy. The Minister cautioned against blind or uncritical use of technology, stating that systems driven entirely by AI often fail to meet public expectations despite high performance metrics.
Highlighting India’s evolving global role, Dr Jitendra Singh said the country was no longer inward-looking and was increasingly expected to contribute ideas and solutions to international efforts on climate action and technology. He noted that India’s geographic diversity provides a unique advantage in studying climate impacts and developing adaptable solutions that can be shared globally.
Linking AI with India’s broader technology roadmap, the Minister said the country is among the early movers in emerging areas such as quantum technologies, having already launched a national quantum mission. Artificial intelligence, he said, has become critical for analysing climate data, forecasting disasters and managing natural resources.
Citing practical applications, Dr Singh said AI-based models are already being used in disaster response and environmental monitoring, including the analysis of extreme weather events. He also referred to the use of AI in healthcare and drug development, where technology is improving speed, precision and efficiency.
During the programme, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated an exhibition of innovations, interacted with young innovators from participating countries and presented awards to winners of a hackathon focused on AI-driven solutions for climate and resilience challenges.
As part of the inaugural session, DSIR and APCTT announced the launch of “SANKALP” (Synergy for Advanced Networks, Knowledge, and Academia–Industry Learning Progress), a new lecture series aimed at strengthening engagement between academia, industry and policymakers, and accelerating the translation of research into real-world applications.
Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR, Dr N. Kalaiselvi, described the conclave as a significant milestone, stating that artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool guided by human and natural intelligence to better understand climate impacts. She highlighted the international character of the conclave, noting participation from multiple countries across APCTT’s network, and called for responsible research and measurable outcomes from the initiative.
