The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, held in Mumbai, became a pivotal gathering for global leaders, policymakers, and creatives from 77 countries. The summit’s highlight was the Global Media Dialogue, culminating in the adoption of the WAVES Declaration—a commitment to harmonize tradition, creativity, and ethics in the burgeoning age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the necessity of intertwining technology with tradition. He remarked, “It is essential that we give voice to our traditions, heritage, ideas, practices, and creativity.” Highlighting the transformative power of AI, he advocated for its responsible use to reduce bias, democratize content, and prioritize ethics. Dr. Jaishankar also stressed the importance of preparing young talent for an era of creative collaborations through relevant skill development, underscoring innovation as the key to building a developed India, or ‘Viksit Bharat’.
The WAVES Declaration recognized media and entertainment as powerful conduits for fostering cross-cultural understanding. Films, in particular, were lauded for their ability to depict diverse cultures and bring people closer. Participating nations acknowledged the role of Indian cinema in this regard. The declaration also emphasized the need to protect and promote cultural heritage, celebrate linguistic diversity, and ensure that local knowledge remains accessible in a global media market.
A significant concern addressed during the dialogue was the enhancement of responsible journalism. Member nations agreed that mutual collaborations on the WAVES platform could address this need. The declaration also called for the responsible use of emerging technologies like AI, aiming to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, promote media integrity, fact-based journalism, and responsible advertising towards enlightened public discourse.
Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted the rapid evolution of content creation and consumption, driven by technological advancements. He stressed the importance of incentivizing local content creation and called for co-production treaties and joint funds to bridge the digital divide. The minister welcomed delegates from 77 countries, emphasizing the role of collaborations in fostering global peace and harmony.
India introduced the ‘Create in India’ challenges, which identified over 700 top creators globally in the first season of WAVES. From the next edition, these challenges will be conducted in 25 global languages, aiming to showcase creative talent worldwide. This initiative underscores the commitment to nurturing young talent and preparing them for an era of creative collaborations.
WAVES 2025 marked a significant step towards harmonizing tradition, creativity, and ethics in the AI era. The summit’s outcomes reflect a collective commitment to fostering global collaborations, promoting responsible journalism, and empowering the next generation of creators. As the world navigates the complexities of technological advancements, such dialogues are crucial in ensuring a future that respects cultural heritage while embracing innovation.
Key Highlights:
- The WAVES 2025 summit in Mumbai saw 77 countries adopt the WAVES Declaration, emphasizing the integration of tradition, creativity, and ethics in the AI era.
- Key discussions centered on responsible journalism, ethical use of AI, and the promotion of cultural heritage through media.
- Initiatives like the ‘Create in India‘ challenges aim to empower young creators globally.
- The summit highlighted the importance of global collaborations in bridging the digital divide and fostering cultural unity.