PM Modi Calls for Global Digital Framework & Ethical Use of AI amidst Security Concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong call for the establishment of a global framework for digital technology and the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) during the inauguration of the International Telecommunication Union – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 and India Mobile Congress in New Delhi. Stressing the importance of international cooperation in an interconnected world, the Prime Minister emphasized that security cannot be an afterthought in today’s digital age.
“There is a need for a global framework… guidelines for digital technology,” PM Modi stated during his address. “Time has come when global institutions have to accept the importance of a rule-based framework for digital technology.”
Highlighting the borderless nature of digital tools and applications, he underscored that no single country can single handedly protect its citizens from cyber threats. He stressed the need for international collaboration, urging global institutions to take responsibility. “For this, we have to work together. Global institutions have to take responsibility,” he said, adding that clear ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ are needed at the global level to safeguard citizens from the risks posed by emerging technologies.
PM Modi drew a parallel with global aviation regulations, which ensure the safety and security of international air travel through established technical, legal, and operational standards. He suggested that a similar approach be adopted for the digital world.
The Prime Minister’s call for a rule-based global framework is aimed at setting standards that address the ethical use of AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity. “Global standards need to be framed for ethical AI and data privacy that respect the diversity of different countries,” Modi ji noted.
Modi ji also outlined India’s efforts in creating a robust digital infrastructure, which has become a cornerstone for delivering services to its vast population. “India is one among the most happening countries when it comes to telecom and its related technologies,” he remarked, citing the country’s massive mobile phone user base of 1.2 billion, 950 million internet users, and its dominance in real-time digital transactions, accounting for over 40% of global transactions.
India’s digital journey, he explained, rests on four pillars: making devices affordable, ensuring widespread connectivity, providing cost-effective data, and adopting a digital-first approach. He pointed out that India has transitioned from being an importer of mobile phones to an exporter, while also establishing a fiber optic network spanning eight times the distance between the earth and the moon.
In his address, Modi ji emphasized India’s readiness to share its digital experience with the world. “India is willing to share its experience of successfully building digital public infrastructure with the rest of the world,” he said, highlighting the country’s success in rolling out 5G services and its ongoing work on 6G technology.
The Prime Minister called on global bodies like the WTSA to take the lead in addressing security concerns in the telecommunication sector, urging them to develop guidelines that ensure safety for all. “I would ask WTSA to deliberate on how to make telecommunications safe for everyone,” he said.
As part of its own commitment to a secure digital future, Modi noted that India has enacted a data protection law and a national cybersecurity strategy to safeguard its digital ecosystem.