Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for democratisation of technology, asserting that AI means “all inclusive” for India, days after the US imposed curbs on access to certain artificial intelligence models.
Addressing technology forum VivaTech 2026 in Paris, Modi highlighted India’s technological prowess and said half of the global digital transactions are happening in the country.
“When it comes to technology, along with innovation, what matters is access. Technology can lead to progress, only when it is democratised. India believes that in this era of disruption, technology must deliver for all,” the Prime Minister said.
Citing the example of AI (artificial intelligence), Modi said it must improve lives, widen access, drive growth and also “help us sustain a healthy planet”.
“Our participation as the AI Country Partner at VivaTech 2026 reflects this very vision. For India, AI means ‘All Inclusive’,” he said.
Last week, Anthropic took its latest AI models — Fable 5 and Mythos 5 — offline to comply with a directive from the US administration to prevent their use by foreign nationals.
The unprecedented move has raised concerns about accessibility to AI solutions amid a fast-changing economic landscape where such solutions are being increasingly used across sectors.
In the last decade, India has been going through a rapid transformation powered by technology, Modi said.
“From creating the world’s largest digital identity system, to the world’s largest/ digital payments platforms, we are using technology at a massive scale for financial inclusion, education, telemedicine, agriculture and more,” he said.
Referring to his address at VivaTech in 2021, the Prime Minister said the world then was facing disruptions from Covid-19.
“Today, the world is experiencing disruptions of other kinds. And I reiterate the message I shared then at VivaTech 2021. Where convention fails, innovation can help,” he said.
Modi also said with over 2 lakh startups, India is one of the most vibrant eco-systems in the world and urged attendees to visit the India pavilion.
“…you will get a feel of India’s immense energy. Be it the world’s first single-piece 3D printed rocket engine, advanced genetic-engineering therapies, AI solutions that detect cancer and other critical diseases or improve cyber and network security, autonomous robots, smart cities, and mobility solutions,” he said.
The Prime Minister further said India is an open society and has the world’s largest talent pool.
He said India is simplifying regulations and ensuring ease of doing business.
From innovation to commercialisation, the country is supporting private enterprise through targeted incentives of over USD 50 billion, he said, adding that India is also providing one of the world’s most affordable data and low-cost green energy.
“Our approach is clear. Our government will enable and industry will innovate. Startups will disrupt and global partners will scale with us. Together, we will move faster than ever,” he said.
Inviting investments, Modi said, “Work with India and deliver for all”.
VivaTech is Europe’s foremost gathering of technology and innovation, and India has set up the largest national pavilion at this edition, symbolising the potential for partnership between Indian and European innovation ecosystems.
