PM Modi urges startups to leverage AI for societal good

Essential brief

Key facts

PM Modi urged Indian AI startups to develop technologies that benefit society.

The government supports AI innovation aligned with national priorities like healthcare and education.

Responsible and ethical AI development is emphasized to ensure fairness and transparency.

This initiative is part of India’s broader digital transformation and National AI Strategy.

Collaboration between startups, government, and academia is key to fostering impactful AI solutions.

Highlights

PM Modi urged Indian AI startups to develop technologies that benefit society.

The government supports AI innovation aligned with national priorities like healthcare and education.

Responsible and ethical AI development is emphasized to ensure fairness and transparency.

This initiative is part of India’s broader digital transformation and National AI Strategy.

On January 8, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a roundtable discussion with Indian AI startups at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. During this meeting, he emphasized the critical role that artificial intelligence (AI) can play in addressing societal challenges and encouraged startups to harness AI technologies for the benefit of society. Modi highlighted the transformative potential of AI in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and governance, urging innovators to develop solutions that can improve quality of life and promote inclusive growth.

The Prime Minister’s call to action reflects India’s growing focus on AI as a strategic area for economic development and social progress. By fostering a startup ecosystem that prioritizes ethical and impactful AI applications, India aims to position itself as a global leader in AI innovation. Modi’s engagement with startups signals government support for technology-driven entrepreneurship and underscores the importance of collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders to create scalable AI solutions.

Startups in India have been increasingly active in developing AI-powered products ranging from predictive analytics for crop yields to AI-enabled diagnostic tools in healthcare. The Prime Minister’s encouragement serves as a catalyst for these enterprises to align their innovations with national priorities such as improving public health outcomes, enhancing educational access, and streamlining public services. Moreover, Modi’s remarks highlight the need for responsible AI development that respects privacy, fairness, and transparency.

This initiative also aligns with India’s broader digital transformation goals, including the Digital India campaign and the National AI Strategy. By integrating AI into various sectors, the government envisions accelerating economic growth while addressing pressing social issues. The Prime Minister’s roundtable discussion is part of ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders across the AI ecosystem, including startups, academia, and government agencies, to foster an environment conducive to innovation and ethical AI deployment.

In summary, PM Modi’s appeal to startups to leverage AI for societal good underscores the Indian government’s commitment to harnessing emerging technologies for inclusive development. It encourages startups to focus on creating AI solutions that are not only commercially viable but also socially responsible and impactful. This approach aims to ensure that AI-driven advancements contribute meaningfully to India’s development trajectory and improve the lives of its citizens.