Rudra Chaudhuri, Director of Carnegie India, opens the Global Technology Summit 2025, setting the stage for insightful discussions on the evolving intersection of technology, policy, and geopolitics. In his welcome remarks, he highlights the summit’s role in shaping critical conversations on emerging technologies, digital governance, and global innovation. With distinguished policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars in attendance, the summit fosters collaboration to address pressing technological challenges and opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, is expected to deliver the keynote address at Global Technology Summit 2025. His remarks will provide strategic insights into India’s role in the evolving global technology landscape, emphasizing the intersection of diplomacy, digital transformation, and innovation. Addressing key stakeholders from industry, academia, and government, he will outline India’s vision for leveraging technology to drive economic growth, foster international cooperation, and shape the future of global governance.

A high-level discussion to set the stage for GTS 2025, focusing on India’s role in shaping global technology governance, digital transformation, and international cooperation in emerging tech sectors.

Discussing India's trade and technology strategies, economic resilience, and global partnerships.

Technology has become a key battleground in global geopolitics, influencing economic strength, national security, and international relationships. Countries are adopting distinct regulatory approaches while competing for leadership in AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and 5G. Europe is focusing on strict regulations and strategic investments, while the United States maintains a more market-driven, less interventionist stance. In contrast, China is advancing its tech ambitions through state-backed enterprises, and India is leveraging its Digital Public Infrastructure model and strategic alliances by balancing collaboration with major global players while asserting its own regulatory direction. Beyond governments, Big Tech firms, semiconductor leaders, and AI innovators are not only adapting to these shifts but also actively shaping policies, supply chains, and the future of technology itself. In this context:

• How are countries balancing tech dominance with trade policies to build resilient supply chains?
• In what ways are multinational corporations navigating geopolitical tensions while shaping global tech regulations?

The India-EU tech cooperation spans critical areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and green energy. Through initiatives like the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), both partners are strengthening research, policy alignment, and investment to foster a future-ready digital economy. This collaboration not only enhances bilateral trade but also paves the way for global standards in technology governance. In this context:

• What opportunities and challenges lie ahead for India-EU cooperation in emerging technologies?
• How will the TTC shape the future of digital innovation between India and the EU?

The newly announced TRUST framework serves as an inflection point when it comes to India's bilateral engagement with the United States. Both parties have seemingly opted for an integrated approach to technology cooperation, with trade issues such as market access and tariff barriers now finding a mention in the joint statement as well. However, the TRUST framework is not just a change in nomenclature but also reflects the evolving sensibilities of both the US-India bilateral relations and the larger geopolitical dynamic surrounding both countries, with a more ambitious and tone-setting agenda in areas such as AI, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and nuclear cooperation. In this context:

• What are the convergences and divergences on India and the United States’ paths on AI?

• What does the promise of cooperation look like while addressing the frictions of cooperation? 

DeepSeek has disrupted the AI landscape by achieving benchmark performances rivaling leading AI models like OpenAI's GPT 4 at a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek also claims to have leveraged fewer and less advanced computer chips while facing US export controls. Sustainable funding from its parent company (a Chinese hedge fund) without immediate profitability pressure allows DeepSeek to focus on fundamental research on artificial general intelligence while offering its models as open source—a key feature of its success. This strategy created a domestic alternative to Western AI products for the Chinese market. At the same time, rival AI companies claim that DeepSeek used “distillation” techniques (refers to extracting knowledge from a larger AI model) to train its model. Further, security concerns loom large. Global regulators—from Italy, Taiwan, Ireland to Australia—have raised alarms about DeepSeek's data practices, with several countries banning or restricting its use. India's Finance Ministry has warned against using such tools on official devices, citing data confidentiality risks. In this context: 

• How can future AI innovations match DeepSeek's cost-efficient breakthrough? 
• How legitimate are the security concerns surrounding DeepSeek, and what safeguards might bridge the trust gap in an increasingly fragmented global AI landscape?

The original promise of artificial intelligence was rooted in the vision of machines that could mimic human intelligence. Now, with advanced AI models replicating human reasoning, learning and problem-solving capabilities, we are at a fork in the road. More than just a boast of human ingenuity, AI could also help achieve sustainable development goals. Recent breakthroughs from companies like DeepSeek also highlight the possibility of building advanced AI in a cost-effective and energy-efficient way. Further, as governments around the world advance their own visions for sovereign AI, there’s a growing concern about a fragmented approach to AI governance. 

• How can recent advancements in AI technology and approaches to “build more with less” help achieve the vision to democratize access to AI for social development?
• How can we build towards global consensus and standards to promote safe, trustworthy and human-centric AI for all?   

AI is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, presenting both significant opportunities and emerging threats. On one hand, AI enhances cyber defence by improving threat detection, identifying potential disruptions to critical infrastructure, and strengthening vulnerability assessments. On the other hand, it also introduces new risks, such as AI-driven social engineering attacks, disinformation campaigns, advanced malware, and novel cyber threats that could bypass traditional security measures. Beyond these dual implications, ensuring the cybersecurity of AI models themselves has become increasingly crucial as they evolve into general-purpose tools widely used across sectors. As a result, both governments and industries at the forefront of AI innovation must carefully and collaboratively navigate the intersection of AI and cybersecurity to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks to cyber infrastructure. In this context:  

• How are domestic and international cybersecurity policies adapting to both the challenges posed and opportunities offered by AI?
• How are governments and industries working together to secure AI models and strengthen cyber defences against AI-powered threats?

The world today is undergoing significant shifts, marked by intensifying geopolitical tensions and evolving power dynamics. The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling for an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces. However, the vote revealed fractures in global alliances, with the U.S. aligning more closely with Russian interests, diverging from its traditional European partners. This shift in the U.S. foreign policy has compelled the Europeans to consider increasing defence autonomy and reevaluate the Transatlantic partnership. In the Middle East, ceasefires in Gaza remain fragile, with ongoing violence threatening regional stability and prompting urgent diplomatic interventions. Meanwhile, China continues to expand its global influence, leveraging strategic investments and technological advancements to challenge Western economic dominance. Amid these global transformations, India is carefully navigating its strategic positioning, maintaining diplomatic balance while asserting its autonomy on key international issues. 

• As major powers reassess alliances and economic strategies, will the world find new models of cooperation, or will the fragmentation continue? 
• Can innovation and advancements in critical and emerging technologies still be a common link that bridges this growing fragmentation?