French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the AI Action Summit, underscoring the importance of equitable access to Artificial Intelligence for global progress.

Addressing an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and AI experts, Macron highlighted the need for trust and inclusivity in AI development, stressing that access to such transformative technology must be available across continents.

“Fair and open access is of decisive importance. We need a system where all continents and countries, including players from Asia Pacific and Latin America, have equal access to these innovations,” Macron said, citing PM Modi’s leadership on the issue as an example.

The French President warned against the creation of a divided world, where technological advancements benefit only a select few. “We don’t want a system where some are in power while others are merely vessels. For trust in AI, equitable access is essential,” he said.

He urged governments and civil society to act collectively to foster this trust, emphasizing the critical role of private enterprises and major investors. “If people can’t trust AI, we risk seeing resistance emerge, with citizens rejecting its adoption as a source of problems rather than solutions,” Macron added.

The President also called for investments in data infrastructure and AI education. “We want to train younger generations and expand research positions at universities. Data consolidation and sustainable data centers powered by low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear power, are key to this effort,” Macron said.

Earlier, PM Modi, delivering the inaugural address at the summit, highlighted AI’s transformative potential for sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture. “AI can help create a world where the journey toward sustainable development goals becomes easier and faster. To achieve this, we must pool resources and develop open-source systems that enhance trust and transparency,” PM Modi said.

(Inputs from ANI)