20 Jan Prof Calzada Invited to Preliminary Foundational Discussions in December 2024 on AIActionSummit2025 Between Paris and Bangalore

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming societies, economies, and governance structures worldwide. While many nations struggle to balance innovation with ethical and inclusive development, India has emerged as a leading example of leveraging AI through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Commons.

In December 2024, Prof Calzada had the privilege of contributing to the preliminary #AIActionSummit discussions in Bangalore and Paris, thanks to the invitation from @Product_nation. The discussions underscored the critical role of DPI in fostering equitable AI ecosystems that prioritize social impact over mere technological advancement. India’s digital governance model offers invaluable lessons for Europe and beyond.

Why India’s Approach Matters

India’s DPI ecosystem—encompassing Aadhaar (digital identity), UPI (unified payments), and Data Empowerment & Protection Architecture (DEPA)—illustrates a governance model that integrates AI into public service frameworks while ensuring inclusivity. The approach is fundamentally different from the dominant platform capitalism models that prioritize corporate profit over public good.

The development of open digital ecosystems and public platforms in India offers a tangible framework for AI governance, particularly in ensuring that AI-driven systems serve citizens rather than merely commercial interests. The global AI community must pay close attention to how India is shaping an alternative AI future grounded in the principles of accessibility, interoperability, and responsible data governance.

AI & the Digital Commons

A significant takeaway from the #AIActionSummit discussions was the importance of AI in Digital Commons. As AI-powered applications permeate various sectors, the ownership and governance of data, algorithms, and digital infrastructure must be reimagined as collective assets rather than proprietary monopolies. Digital Commons can counterbalance the privatization of AI, ensuring that technology remains a tool for empowerment rather than exploitation.

What’s Next? #Budapest @HorizonEnfield

Building on these insights, the next stop in this conversation will be in Budapest on February 14, where the Enfield Project’s workshop will further explore ‘AI for Whom?’ (https://enfield-project.eu/aiforwhomws). The event will delve into AI’s socio-political implications, particularly regarding governance models that serve communities rather than concentrated corporate or state control.

Moving Forward

The global AI discourse must move beyond the hype of technological capabilities and towards meaningful frameworks that prioritize human-centric development. Learning from India’s DPI and Digital Commons initiatives can help shape ethical and sustainable AI governance worldwide. As AI increasingly influences policy-making, urban development, and socio-economic structures, embracing open, inclusive, and accountable digital infrastructures is not just an option—it is an imperative.

Prof Calzada looks forward to continuing this dialogue and exploring pathways for an AI future that serves societal needs rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.

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