Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described artificial intelligence start-ups as “co-architects” of India’s future, underlining their central role in shaping the country’s economic, technological, and social trajectory. Speaking at a recent interaction with technology leaders and innovators, the Prime Minister emphasized that India’s growth story is increasingly being written by agile, innovation-driven start-ups working at the intersection of AI, data, and digital public infrastructure.

Government Sees AI as a Strategic National Capability

PM Modi highlighted that AI is no longer a niche technology but a strategic capability that can redefine governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and manufacturing. He noted that India’s approach to AI focuses on inclusive growth, ensuring that innovation benefits citizens at the grassroots level rather than remaining confined to elite or urban ecosystems.

According to the Prime Minister, start-ups are uniquely positioned to build practical AI solutions tailored to India’s scale and diversity, solving real-world problems rather than replicating global models without local relevance.

Digital Public Infrastructure Fuels AI Innovation

The Prime Minister pointed to India’s digital public infrastructure—such as Aadhaar, UPI, and the India Stack—as a strong foundation for AI-led innovation. He said these platforms provide start-ups with secure, scalable, and interoperable systems that enable faster experimentation and deployment of AI solutions across sectors.

This ecosystem, he added, reduces entry barriers for young companies while allowing them to compete globally from day one.

Focus on Ethical, Responsible AI Development

PM Modi also stressed the importance of building AI responsibly, calling for innovation that respects privacy, data security, and ethical considerations. He urged start-ups to embed trust and transparency into their AI models, noting that public confidence will be critical to the long-term success of emerging technologies.

India, he said, aims to be a global voice in shaping responsible AI frameworks rather than merely adopting standards set elsewhere.

Start-ups Seen as Partners in Policy and Growth

The Prime Minister framed AI start-ups not just as beneficiaries of policy support, but as active partners in nation-building. He encouraged entrepreneurs to collaborate with government institutions, academia, and industry to co-create solutions that enhance productivity, create jobs, and improve public service delivery.

With India positioning itself as a global technology hub, PM Modi’s remarks signal a strong push to align start-up innovation with national priorities and long-term development goals.