NEW DELHI: India must embrace the future technologies, innovate boldly and lead the world in developing them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave here on Tuesday.Asserting that a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) will be built on strong foundations of scientific research, discoveries and the spirit of innovation, he appealed to every researcher, industry leader, startup founder and student to set a concrete three-year target identifying which technology, prototype, pilot project or product they will help develop to make India a global hub for solutions.Underlining how scientific judgement will evolve in the age of AI during the second quarter of the 21st century, the Prime Minister emphasised that while AI can rapidly execute routine tasks to boost productivity, it must enrich rather than restrict independent thinking, allowing researchers to use saved time for harder problems, new experiments, and idea validation.“AI can give us answers quickly, but the responsibility of testing the veracity of the answer must lie with the scientist alone,” he asserted. The three-day Conclave brought together leading scientists, policymakers and global experts to deliberate on emerging technologies and innovation priorities.Referring to emerging AI-era cybersecurity threats to financial networks and national security, Modi called for developing AI-based and quantum security solutions that protect national systems and serve humanity. “Our goal is to develop such technologies which empower India and also contribute to solving the problems of humanity,” he said.Invoking the collective spirit and conviction of “we will do it”, the Prime Minister said the country has to prepare such a generation which is not merely a participant in emerging science and technology, but leads it. “Our goal is also to expand our power in critical technologies,” he asserted.
Emphasising that building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ requires massive nuclear energy capacity while reliance on imported nuclear fuel poses a challenge to energy security, Modi pointed out that the nation is rapidly advancing its Fast Breeder Reactor technology.Highlighting that the indigenous 500-megawatt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor successfully achieved first criticality just a few months ago, he said, “This has been a major step in the direction of strengthening our long-term strengths in the field of nuclear energy.”