President Karis’ India visit focuses on future technologies and security situation

In meetings held on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, President Alar Karis has spoken to his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu and the country's head of government Narendra Modi about the informed use of new technologies, Estonia's AI Leap education programme, economic relations and the security situation.

"What binds us to India, despite it being more than a thousand times larger than Estonia in terms of its population, is our unwavering belief in future skills, including the digital competence and digital savvy that Estonia has to share," the head of state remarked.

President Karis noted that globally, India is on the ascendancy. "And it has been further boosted by the free trade agreement that was recently entered into between it, the EU and the world's major economies," he added.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the head of state acknowledged India's decision to reduce its acquisitions of fossil fuels of Russian origin. "That will increase pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine on fair terms," he said.

Attending the world's biggest AI event this week, heads of state and government, ministers, policymakers, representatives of international organisations and business leaders from all over the globe discussed the impact of AI on the economy, education, public services and societal development, as well as its safe and responsible use.

President Karis was accompanied on his visit to India by Linnar Viik, a co-founder and member of the supervisory board of the AI Leap foundation; Ivo Visak, the foundation's CEO; and a business delegation including representatives of Crowdin, Better Medicine, Lei Register, Jio Estonia, GHRP Portfolio, Digiotouch and Cybexer Technologies.

The AI Impact Summit is one of the most significant international forums of its kind, with this year's event attracting more than 15,000 participants. It followed the summit held in Paris last year, and marked the first time that a country in the Global South has hosted such a large-scale AI event, with the aim of introducing more regional perspectives into international debate. The summit focuses on inclusive, responsible and socially impactful AI and on boosting international cooperation in a rapidly changing technological environment.

Gallery (Raigo Pajula/Office of the President): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCKEZQ