France says India to co-chair AI summit in Paris in February, PM Modi to attend summit

NEW DELHI: A summit on artificial intelligence (AI) organized by France and scheduled for early February in Paris will be co-chaired by India, french minister Clara Chappaz announced on Wednesday.

Called the "Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence," the event will bring together global leaders from governments, civil society, research, and business, Chappaz said after a cabinet meeting.

This comes after French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit from February 10 to 11.

While addressing the 30th Conference of Ambassadors, President Macron said, "France will be hosting the AI Summit on February 10-11. A summit for action, as we call it. This summit will allow for an international conversation on AI. There will be Prime Minister Modi, who will move up to a major visit in our country as we want to forge a dialogue with all powers on AI."

French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) as a global issue, noting the involvement of countries like the US, China, India, and Gulf nations in developing and regulating AI technologies.

"The US, China, and major emerging countries such as India have a key role to play, as well as the Gulf," Macron had said.

Prime Minister Modi last met France President Macron on November 18 last year during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This was their third meeting in 2024, following Macron's visit to India as the Chief Guest for Republic Day in January and their meeting during the G7 Summit in Italy in June, according to the ministry of external affairs (MEA).