Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Conclave on new scientific developments, technologies, and innovations in New Delhi on Tuesday. He stated that India must actively implement future technologies, boldly engage in innovation, and lead the world in the development of these technologies.
Modi emphasized the necessity of transforming the country into a global hub that provides solutions.
The Beijing scientific dialogue concluded on Wednesday with the adoption of the Beijing Scientific Declaration, which establishes eighteen commitments aimed at strengthening international scientific interaction and shaping the future of science after 2030.
This document was organized by the International Science Council (ISC) and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The Declaration outlines general priorities for the global scientific system, which must be open, inclusive, and collaborative, while serving the interests of people and the planet.
The Declaration affirms that science is a common human endeavor, and its benefits should be accessible to all. It calls for strengthening international research networks, more equitable access to scientific resources, principles of open science and data sharing, as well as protecting scientific freedom and research integrity.
As the global community prepares a new global sustainable development agenda beyond the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the declaration emphasizes the importance of scientific knowledge and evidence in policymaking. It also notes the need for cross-country and interdisciplinary cooperation to address interconnected issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, and new technologies.
The Declaration calls for establishing common norms and governance frameworks for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research. The goal is for AI usage to contribute to human well-being, sustainable development, and the public interest. Special attention is paid to the importance of scientific integrity, transparency, accountability, and scientific data, while calling for international cooperation to prevent the widening of the digital divide due to AI.
Furthermore, the document insists on strengthening the link between science and society through education, popular science communication, and public engagement. Researchers must be able to convey uncertainty, distinguish scientific judgments from value choices, and work with media and other social groups, making scientific knowledge accessible and useful to the general public.
The Beijing scientific dialogue, held from October 19 to 21, gathered over a thousand representatives from more than 80 countries and regions to discuss topics such as science as a public good, responsible AI, and the relationship between science, society, and trust.
The event also highlighted China's role in international scientific cooperation. Beijing's scientific infrastructure and open innovation environment provide scientists from around the world with opportunities to exchange experience, data, and equipment. Through the convergence of researchers and scientific organizations across borders, the dialogue aimed to transform shared priorities into practical cooperation.
In conclusion, the declaration calls on the international community to build a fairer and more robust global scientific system that enhances science's contribution to peace, as well as sustainable and resilient development.
Sridhar Vembu, Chief Scientist and co-founder of Zoho, believes that investments in the country should be directed towards developing domestic infrastructure rather than acquiring Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), despite the current AI hype.
Speaking at the inaugural main conference of TechSparks 2026, the flagship event by YourStory, Vembu stated: 'If I earned $10 billion right now as a government, I would spend that money on Bangalore's infrastructure, Chennai's infrastructure, and so on. There is no point spending $10 billion on GPUs right now.'
His argument was presented against the backdrop of growing interest and concern regarding progress in AI, including fears about job cuts among technology specialists.
According to Vembu, the world revolves around software technologies, yet about 97% of the population only consumes these technologies without participating in their creation. He emphasized that technological investments should cover not only the software sector but also other sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.
He cited China, South Korea, and Taiwan as countries that have successfully used technology to increase food production and stimulate economic prosperity. Vembu added that significantly more knowledge needs to be implemented in agriculture to increase crop yields, noting that Israel is capable of growing food in the desert.
To achieve these goals, Vembu urged India to build sovereignty in fundamental technologies and reduce dependence on foreign countries. He warned that current geopolitical tensions could make the country vulnerable to disruptions in access to critical technologies. In his words, priorities should be directed towards fundamental and higher levels to ensure sustainable prosperity.
