India Leads Call for Global Ethical AI Rules at Fintech Fest
- India promotes a global ethical AI model that builds fairness and trust worldwide.
- The vision focuses on inclusion and equal access for every citizen through AI and tech.
- Global leaders are urged to unite and create safe AI systems that empower everyone.
At the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s firm support for creating a global framework for ethical artificial intelligence (AI). He stated that India’s vision goes beyond adopting technology, it aims to embed democratic values, fairness, and inclusion at the heart of AI use worldwide. The conference brought together world leaders, industry professionals, and tech experts in an effort to answer the question of how fintech and AI can transform the future of governance and collaboration on a global scale.
Democracy and Technology: India’s Inclusive Approach
Modi opened his address by describing his nation as the “mother of democracy.” He said democracy in India extends beyond elections and policymaking into governance and technology. “Democracy in India is not limited to elections or policymaking but has been established as a strong pillar of governance,” he affirmed.
He said India once faced the technological divide but had transformed it into an example of equality. “Today’s India is among the most technologically inclusive societies in the world,” Modi noted. Over the past decade, the country has made digital tools accessible to citizens in every region.
He explained that this transformation stemmed from the Digital Public Infrastructure model, which is built on systems such as Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker. According to him, India’s success in DPI provides a roadmap for AI adoption. “For India, AI stands for All Inclusive,” he added, calling AI a powerful tool for empowerment and growth.
The Prime Minister stated that India’s strength lies in combining scale with inclusion, resilience, and sustainability. He noted that India’s democratic governance model enables technology to serve the people and not just industries. This people-first vision, he said, would be central to any future framework for AI ethics.
India’s Vision for Ethical AI and Global Collaboration
Modi explained that India’s AI strategy rests on three guiding principles: equitable access, large-scale skilling, and responsible deployment. He spoke of the AI Mission, which seeks to expand high-performance computing, establish skill hubs, and develop local AI models in all Indian languages.
He also emphasized that AI should be people-centric and trusted by people, especially those new to digital finance. He stated that systems must be transparent and capable of identifying errors within a short period. His speech also emphasized the use of AI to minimize underwriting bias, real-time fraud detection, and the quality of services in the banking, insurance, and payments industries.
According to him, this transformation requires joint investment in data infrastructure, education, and governance standards. The Prime Minister urged the international community to participate in shaping ethical rules that make AI safe, fair, and inclusive for all nations. He reminded the audience that India has always supported efforts to develop such global standards.
“India’s digital experience can serve as a global public good in the AI era,” Modi said. He explained that India is sharing its expertise not as aid but as a model of digital empowerment.
Related: India’s Forward Approach Toward Regulating Stablecoins
Building a Digitally Cooperative World
Beyond AI, Modi stressed the importance of digital cooperation. He spoke of open-network systems, such as ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and OCEN (Open Credit Enablement Network), as part of India’s broader digital vision. These, he said, promote fairness, competition, and innovation in the fintech sector.
He invited international partners, especially the United Kingdom, to collaborate through the UK–India Fintech Corridor. The goal, he explained, is to connect innovation hubs, startups, and financial institutions to create shared opportunities for growth.
The comments made by Modi were a manifestation of the Indian thinking that technology should benefit not only people but also the planet. His vision was a fintech ecosystem where development is ethical and innovation benefits humanity. He said that technology must not only enrich economies but also people and the planet.
