'Technology with humanity': French President Macron pitches for inclusive AI future
New Delhi (PTI): In the face of increasing geopolitical tensions, there is a growing sense of urgency to direct all digital tools towards an inclusive approach and India and France will jointly work to build a framework for artificial intelligence by combining innovation with responsibility and technology with humanity, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
In his address at the AI Impact Summit here, Macron said France and India share a common vision for developing a "sovereign AI" to protect the planet and foster prosperity for all.
"At a time when tensions are rising, there is an increased sense of urgency to direct all our digital tools towards this inclusive approach. And in order, indeed, to be strong here in India, but to be strong as well on the African continent," he said.
"Let's focus together on bridging rather than dividing, creating rather than destroying, sharing rather than taking. France intends to use its G7 Presidency to foster that vision," he added.
Macron said France, as the current G7 chair, will work towards ensuring protection of children against AI and digital abuse.
"This is why in France we are embarking on a process to ban social networks for children aged under 15 years. We are committed in this journey with several European countries being present here today, (including) Greece, Spain," he said.
"I know, Mr Prime Minister, you will join this club. This is great news that India will join such an approach in order to protect children and teenagers. We stand ready to take all necessary actions to ensure that our young citizens are truly safe," he said, apparently to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Describing India as a major player in the artificial intelligence (AI) domain, the French president underlined the need for rules to govern use of AI.
"I have come to convey that we are determined to continue to shape the rules of the game. And to do that with our allies, such as India, because we believe in core shared values, science, rule of law, global balance."
Now is the time to channel our forces toward what works. Concrete action and solutions that make AI more sustainable, efficient, and accessible," he said.
Macron also pitched for what he described as "targeted funding to leverage talents and creativity" in the AI domain.
"The future of AI will be built by those who combine innovation and responsibility. Technology with humanity. And India and France will help to shape this future together. And the journey has just begun," he said.
The French president began his address by lauding India's journey in the digital space.
"Ten years ago, a street vendor in Mumbai could not open a bank account. No address, no papers, no access. And today the same vendor accepts payments on his phone, instantly. Instantly, for free, from anyone in the country," he said.
"That is not just a tech story, that is a civilization story. And India built something that no other country in the world has built, a digital identity for 1.4 billion people. A payment system that now processes 20 billion transactions every month," he said.
"A health infrastructure that has issued 500 million digital health IDs. Here are the results. They call it the India Stack Open Interoperable Sovereign," he noted.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
