Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the third session of the G20 Summit at Johannesburg, South Africa, calling for a “fundamental shift” in how the world approaches critical technologies, from artificial intelligence to digital infrastructure. Speaking at the session titled “A Fair and a Just Future for All”, he said technological progress must be guided by human-centric principles rather than profit-led or exclusive models.
According to the PIB release, the Prime Minister said that India’s own technology ecosystem has been built on this inclusive vision, enabling large-scale gains in digital payments, AI-driven applications and space technology. He stressed that emerging technologies should be open-source and globally accessible to prevent widening inequalities.
On artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister outlined India’s approach of equitable access, mass skilling and responsible deployment. He highlighted the India-AI Mission, which is expanding high-performance computing capacity to ensure that AI benefits reach citizens across the country. Calling for international cooperation, he proposed a global compact on AI rooted in transparency, safety-by-design, human oversight and mechanisms to prevent misuse.
Modi also announced that India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 under the theme “Sarvajanam Hitaya, Sarvajanam Sukhaya” (Welfare for All, Happiness for All), and invited all G20 members to participate.
Turning to the future of work, he said the world must shift its focus from “jobs of today” to “capabilities of tomorrow”, urging the G20 to develop a Global Framework for Talent Mobility building on progress made at the New Delhi Summit last year.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming India’s commitment to global well-being, stating that the country stands for “sustainable development, trusted trade, fair finance and progress in which everyone prospers.”
