New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called for the development of sovereign and ethical artificial intelligence, stressing that AI must serve humanity and should not be controlled by a small group of global powers.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, Macron said India and France share a common vision of building trusted AI systems rooted in transparency, inclusivity, and democratic values.
“India and France are committed to developing our own computing capacity and talent to build reliable AI technologies,” Macron said. “We cannot rely exclusively on systems developed and governed elsewhere.”
The center was jointly inaugurated by Macron and India’s Union Health Minister J P Nadda, marking a major step forward in bilateral cooperation in healthcare innovation and emerging technologies.
Macron emphasized that responsible AI governance must include safeguards for children, transparency to reduce algorithmic bias, and protection of linguistic and cultural diversity. He highlighted healthcare as a key sector where ethical AI adoption can improve productivity, accelerate research, and enhance patient outcomes.
The IF-CAIH aims to advance AI-driven medical research, education, and clinical innovation, particularly in areas such as brain health and global healthcare challenges. The initiative has been established under a memorandum of understanding between AIIMS Delhi, Sorbonne University, and the Paris Brain Institute.
The launch coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires Et Scientifiques De Haut Niveau (RUSH) meetings, held at AIIMS Delhi from February 18–19 and coordinated by the French Embassy. A special Indo-French forum on AI in brain health brought together scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and academic leaders from both countries.
Macron also interacted with students and young researchers, encouraging them to pursue innovation-driven solutions in healthcare. As part of RUSH 2026, he participated in a conversation on artificial intelligence with young Indian innovators, highlighting the importance of youth-led innovation and cross-border collaboration.
Officials said the initiative builds on long-standing India-France cooperation in digital health, antimicrobial resistance, health workforce development, and responsible use of health data, reinforcing India’s ambition to become a global leader in equitable, technology-enabled healthcare.
