No compromise on ethical use: PM Modi at roundtable meet with AI CEOs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a high-level roundtable discussion with CEOs and experts from the artificial intelligence (AI) sector on January 29, 2026, at his residence in Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.

The meeting was held ahead of the upcoming IndiaAI Impact Summit in February 2026. The discussion centred on accelerating India's AI mission by fostering partnerships, showcasing innovations, and emphasizing self-reliance in AI technology.

The interaction brought together CEOs from major Indian tech firms such as Wipro, TCS, HCL Tech, Zoho Corporation, LTI Mindtree, Jio Platforms Ltd, AdaniConnex, Nxtra Data, and Netweb Technologies. Experts from premier institutions like IIIT Hyderabad, IIT Madras, and IIT Bombay were also present. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Jitin Prasada joined the session.

‘No compromise on ethical AI’

PM Modi stressed the importance of building a trustworthy AI framework rooted in national values. He stated, "We should work towards an AI ecosystem which is transparent, impartial and secure. There should be no compromise on ethical use of AI." He also highlighted the need for robust data security and the democratization of technology, while calling for focused efforts on AI skill development to build a strong domestic ecosystem.

UPI-style model for AI growth

Drawing inspiration from India's digital success, the Prime Minister pitched replicating the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) model in AI. "Through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India has demonstrated its technical prowess and the same can be replicated in the field of AI," he remarked.

UPI’s success in creating a trusted, interoperable financial ecosystem is being presented as a blueprint for how an AI ecosystem could be built with shared protocols, open standards and broad-based participation.

‘AI for All’

Modi underscored India's unique strengths, noting, "India has a unique proposition of scale, diversity and democracy, due to which the world trusts India’s digital infrastructure." He urged the use of indigenous technology across key sectors to drive national growth and make India a "fertile destination for all global AI efforts." He added that the AI ecosystem should reflect the nation's character and values, aiming to "create an impact with our technology as well as inspire the world" under the vision of ‘AI for All’.

CEOs and experts present at the meeting expressed strong support for India’s push towards self-sufficiency and ethical AI leadership, while acknowledging the government’s efforts to boost innovation and ecosystem development.

With the IndiaAI Impact Summit approaching, Modi’s interaction signals a concerted policy push for ethical AI that is homegrown, secure and aligned with national values.