Technology, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence — these were the key topics that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a chat on with founder and former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates.
“I decided I will not allow a digital divide in India and hence took the infrastructure to villages across the country,” the Prime Minister said when Bill Gates asked him about the technological advancements that he is excited about, during a conversation with the PM at his residence.
“When I used to hear about the digital divide in the world, I used to think that I would not allow anything like that to happen in my country. Digital public infrastructure is a major requirement in itself… Women are more open to adopting new technology in India… I have started the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme. They say that they didn’t know to ride a bicycle but they are now pilots and can fly drones. The mindset has changed,” PM Modi added.
Welcoming Bill Gates, the Prime Minister noted: “We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit and as you’ve likely noted, the summit’s proceedings took various turns. I believe we have now aligned with G20’s core purpose and objectives, bringing them into the mainstream.”
PM Modi and Bill Gates also had an extensive chat on the role and benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Prime Minister highlighted how he used AI during the G20 Summit last year, and also during the Kashi Tamil Sangamam event where his speech was translated live from Hindi to Tamil.
“Historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions, we lagged because we were a colony. Now, we are in midst of a fourth industrial revolution with the digital element at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot during this period. AI is very important. Sometimes, I jokingly say that in our country, we call our mother ‘Aai’. Now I say that when a child is born, he says ‘Aai’ as well as AI as children have become so advanced.”
PM Modi further informed that he wanted to allocate funds to scientists for local research in cervical cancer to develop vaccines at a minimal cost and that his new government will work to ensure vaccination, especially for all girls.
Digital public infrastructure is required, the prime minister said, with Gates adding that India is leading the way. Speaking on the issue of climate change, Modi said that 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.
When asked by Gates as to whether the Prime Minister was fascinated by technology but is not a slave to it, he said: “I am not an expert but have child-like curiosity for technology.”
