Speaking at an AI event in New Delhi, Sunak said the debate around the emerging technology is as much about public trust as it is about technological progress.
“Around the world we see these different attitudes towards AI. In countries like India, where we are, there is tremendous optimism and confidence, and in Western countries we see that fear is still the dominant feeling towards AI,” Sunak said during an interactive session with global technology leaders.
“I think closing that trust gap is as much a policy task as it is a technical task,” he added.
The session, held alongside the AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, brought together policymakers and industry executives to discuss governance, innovation and AI sovereignty.
Sunak underlined that governments must actively address public concerns and build trust frameworks to ensure the benefits of AI are widely accepted.
Referring to the global mood, he noted that while technological capabilities are advancing rapidly, public perception varies significantly between regions.
Sunak also raised the issue of trust from a consumer perspective, pointing out that companies that engage billions of users every day must carefully balance innovation with responsibility.
He emphasized that AI has transformative potential but requires robust policy frameworks to bridge the trust gap, especially in countries where skepticism remains high.
MACRON ALSO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INDIA
Sunak’s comments came a day after French President Emmanuel Macron expressed similar confidence in India’s technological trajectory at the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai.
Macron asserted that the question was no longer whether India would innovate, but who would choose to co-innovate, adding that France plans to remain a committed partner in India’s technological rise.
“The question is no longer whether India will innovate. The question is: who will innovate with India? And France is the unique, clear answer. We are here, we want to be here with you, and we are not going away. Jai Ho! As we say in a famous film. So long live the Indo-French relationship. Thank you very much,” Macron said, amid thunderous applause from the audience.
PM ADDRESSES CONCERNS AROUND AI
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the sentiment of optimism while voicing concerns over AI-driven disruption in employment.
He said India’s journey towards technological self-reliance is anchored on sovereignty, inclusivity and innovation, with a clear ambition to be among the top AI powers in the world, not just in consumption but also in creation.
Addressing fears of automation-induced job losses, Modi said preparation and skills development remain the best response to uncertainty.
Pointing to large-scale training initiatives aimed at equipping India’s workforce with emerging technologies, he emphasized that historical experience shows that technological revolutions are reshaping work rather than eliminating it altogether.
The optimism of some of the top global leaders about AI and its future underlines the growing global recognition of India’s central role in the AI era – not only as a huge market, but also as a confident and ambitious architect of the future of technology.
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