French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026, underscoring their shared ambition for reliable, open, and ethical artificial intelligence. They stressed international cooperation, responsible AI governance, and the promotion of innovation between the two nations.
- Macron and Modi reaffirmed commitment to ethical, responsible AI development.
- Bharat Innovates 2026 highlighted over 120 Indian deep-tech startups.
- Event fosters international cooperation and openness in AI innovation.
What happened
During the Bharat Innovates 2026 summit in Nice, French President Emmanuel Macron called on nations to avoid using AI as a tool of power by monopolizing advanced technologies. He highlighted France and India’s joint commitment to developing AI systems that are reliable, open, safe, and ethical. The two countries have been working together on AI governance frameworks since co-chairing the Summit for AI in 2020 and plan to continue with the next summit scheduled for 2027.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron jointly inaugurated the event, which gathered over 120 leading startups and 20 institutes of excellence from India, alongside investors and innovators from multiple nations. The three-day conclave focuses on deep technology, spanning 13 critical technology pillars, and serves as a vibrant platform for strengthening Indo-French technological collaboration and global investment connections.
Why it matters
Macron’s remarks highlighted a rising global concern about the concentration of AI power in restricted hands, which could hamper collaboration and the ethical development of the technology. By advocating a common path based on openness and cooperation, India and France are setting an example for responsible AI stewardship aligned with democratic values such as respect for multilingualism and transparency.
The event also signals the increasing importance of India as a hub for deep-tech innovation, attracting significant international investor interest. This Indo-French partnership not only advances bilateral research and industrial cooperation but also helps bridge the global AI divide by promoting broader access and inclusivity in AI advancement.
What to watch next
Attention will turn to the forthcoming AI summit planned for 2027, where India and France will further solidify and expand their cooperative frameworks for AI governance. Monitoring how these efforts influence international AI policy and the technology’s ethical standards will be key.
Investors and startups showcased at Bharat Innovates 2026 will be closely watched to gauge emerging trends in AI innovation and commercialization. The evolution of joint Indo-French projects and whether other countries join this openness-driven approach will also be critical indicators of the global AI landscape’s direction.