Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday emphasised the contrasting global outlooks toward Artificial Intelligence, noting that India displays a markedly higher level of optimism and public trust in the technology compared to many Western countries, where concerns and uncertainty continue to dominate discussions. Speaking at an AI-focused event in New Delhi, Sunak expressed confidence in India’s approach to emerging technologies, a sentiment that followed similar remarks made a day earlier by French President Emmanuel Macron praising India’s innovation potential.
Addressing an interactive session attended by global technology leaders, Sunak said that attitudes toward artificial intelligence vary widely across regions, with India emerging as a country where enthusiasm and confidence in AI’s future remain strong. In contrast, he observed that several Western nations continue to grapple with anxiety surrounding the social, economic, and ethical implications of rapid technological advancement. According to him, the global conversation around AI is shaped not only by technological capability but also by the level of public confidence in how the technology will be used and governed.
Sunak highlighted that bridging this gap in public confidence is as much a matter of policymaking as it is a technological challenge. He stressed that governments must actively engage with citizens’ concerns and create transparent regulatory frameworks that build trust while enabling innovation. The session, organised alongside the AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, brought together policymakers, industry executives, and technology experts to deliberate on issues such as governance models, innovation ecosystems, and questions of AI sovereignty.
Referring to broader global trends, Sunak noted that although AI capabilities are advancing rapidly across industries, public perception remains uneven. He pointed out that companies interacting with billions of users worldwide must strike a careful balance between pushing technological innovation and ensuring responsible deployment. According to him, the transformative potential of AI can only be realised fully when governments and institutions establish policies that reassure the public and address fears surrounding misuse or unintended consequences.
Sunak’s remarks came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron voiced comparable optimism about India’s technological trajectory during the India–France Innovation Forum held in Mumbai. Macron stated that the global conversation had shifted from questioning whether India would innovate to determining which nations would collaborate with it. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening technological cooperation with India and highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in advancing innovation.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the evolving role of artificial intelligence, acknowledging concerns related to job displacement while expressing confidence in India’s preparedness. He stated that the country’s push toward technological self-reliance is grounded in principles of sovereignty, inclusivity, and innovation, with the goal of positioning India among the world’s leading AI powers not only as a consumer but also as a creator of advanced technologies.
Responding to fears that automation could lead to large-scale unemployment, Modi emphasised that skill development and workforce preparation remain the most effective responses to technological disruption. He referred to ongoing large-scale skilling initiatives aimed at equipping workers with capabilities suited to emerging industries and argued that historical technological revolutions have typically transformed employment patterns rather than eliminating jobs entirely.
The positive outlook expressed by global leaders such as Sunak and Macron reflects a growing international recognition of India’s expanding influence in the artificial intelligence landscape. Their remarks underscore the perception of India not merely as a major market for AI technologies, but as an increasingly confident and ambitious contributor shaping the future direction of the global AI ecosystem.
