G20 Leaders' Summit: PM Modi's Six-Point Plan On AI Ethics And UN Security Council Reforms

World leaders convened in Johannesburg for the G20 Leaders' Summit, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Among the attendees was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived a day before the event. During the summit, PM Modi highlighted crucial themes, including artificial intelligence ethics and necessary reforms in the United Nations Security Council.

PM Modi's Six-Point Plan

PM Modi introduced a six-point plan during the G20 sessions. He initiated the agenda with a call for a G20 initiative to combat drug trafficking linked to terrorism. Another proposal suggested forming a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team, consisting of trained medical personnel from member nations, ready to respond to emergencies. In his address, Modi underlined the significance of a global compact on artificial intelligence. He urged nations to ensure AI remains human-centric, transparent, and responsible. “AI technology must remain human-centric, transparent, responsible, and free from abuse in areas like deepfakes, crime, and terrorism,” he stated.

Reforms in the UN Security Council

On the summit's sidelines, Modi addressed the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders' Summit. He emphasised that reforming the UN Security Council is essential, not optional. Modi urged the IBSA to convey a strong message advocating fairer global governance. Further expanding on his proposals, Modi recommended a G20 Africa-Skills Multiplier Initiative. This initiative aims to strengthen Africa's workforce, making it future-ready. Additionally, he suggested the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, and a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative. PM Modi's discussions also touched on the need for a global framework on talent mobility. This is to prepare for future capabilities. “AI systems affecting public trust should be auditable and accountable, and that final decision-making must rest with humans,” he remarked.

IBSA Initiatives and Collaborations

Modi proposed several initiatives for the IBSA group, including institutionalising an IBSA-level NSA meeting. Additionally, he suggested forming an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance and establishing an IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture. These proposals aim to enhance collaboration in digital infrastructure, green energy, and traditional medicine. He further invited IBSA leaders to India’s AI Impact Summit scheduled for the following year. Modi emphasised that the group could help shape safe and trustworthy AI norms. His proposals reflect a vision for strengthening global partnerships across various sectors, aligning with the summit's overarching themes.