New Delhi, May 1, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled up his sleeves for a high-stakes huddle with global tech titans and Indian business heavyweights at the WAVES Summit in the capital today. The closed-door meeting, a tightly guarded affair, brought together the likes of Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen, YouTube’s Neal Mohan, and Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, alongside India Inc’s big guns—Mukesh Ambani, Sanjiv Goenka, and Dream11’s Harsh Jain. The agenda? Artificial Intelligence, copyright laws, and India’s tech ambitions on the world stage.
The summit, formally the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit, isn’t just another government talkfest. It’s a platform where India flexes its growing clout in the digital realm. Modi, known for his knack for blending policy with spectacle, didn’t disappoint. Sources close to the event say he pushed for a roadmap to make India a hub for AI innovation while tackling the thorny issue of intellectual property in a world of algorithms and deepfakes. The PM’s message was clear: India wants to lead, not follow, in the AI race.
Details from the meeting are sparse—government briefings are as tight-lipped as ever—but a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed discussions centered on “leveraging AI for economic growth” and “strengthening copyright frameworks to protect creators.” The presence of global CEOs signals serious intent. Adobe, a powerhouse in creative software, has deep stakes in how AI reshapes design and media. YouTube and Instagram, owned by Google and Meta respectively, face mounting pressure to balance content monetization with copyright enforcement.
Indian industry leaders weren’t just there for the photo-op. Ambani, whose Reliance empire spans telecom to entertainment, likely pushed for policies to boost local tech ecosystems. Goenka, a veteran in power and media, and Jain, whose gaming platform Dream11 rides the digital wave, represent India’s homegrown hustle. Their inclusion underscores Modi’s pitch: India’s not just a market; it’s a partner in shaping tech’s future.
The timing matters. India’s digital economy is exploding—think UPI, Jio, and a billion-plus internet users. But with great power comes great headaches. AI’s rise has sparked debates over data privacy, job displacement, and content ownership. Modi’s government, eyeing a $5 trillion economy, sees AI as a golden ticket but knows the risks of getting it wrong. The WAVES Summit, launched to boost India’s creative industries, is now a battleground for these ideas.
No deals were announced, and don’t hold your breath for a press release spelling it all out. Modi’s style is to plant seeds, not spill secrets. Still, the gathering sends a signal: India’s ready to play ball with the big boys, but on its own terms. Expect more policy moves on AI and IP in the months ahead.
The meeting wrapped up late today, with attendees whisked away under tight security. No public statements from the CEOs yet, but the buzz in Delhi’s power corridors is electric. Modi’s tech gamble is on, and the world’s watching.