EVIAN, France (Diya TV) — Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff shared a selfie with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a discussion on artificial intelligence at the G7 Summit, drawing attention to the growing role of AI in global policy and economic development.
Benioff posted the photograph on social media platform X on Wednesday. The image quickly gained attention online as world leaders and technology executives gathered in France to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the digital world.
The Salesforce chief said he felt inspired by his meeting with Modi and highlighted their conversation about trust in the age of artificial intelligence. His post reflected a growing focus among governments and technology companies on building AI systems that are safe, reliable and accountable.
The meeting took place during the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, France. Although the Group of Seven primarily focuses on economic and geopolitical issues, artificial intelligence emerged as a major topic this year. As a result, several leading technology executives joined discussions alongside political leaders.
Benioff was among a group of prominent AI industry figures who attended the summit. Reports indicated that participants explored topics such as frontier AI risks, digital infrastructure and data sovereignty. These discussions aimed to address challenges created by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence technologies.
Soon after sharing his photograph with Modi, Benioff posted another selfie featuring Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch.
In his message, Benioff emphasized the importance of innovation while also stressing the need for trusted AI platforms. He said technology leaders must work together to develop systems that support growth and strengthen public confidence.
The presence of technology executives at the summit underscored the increasing influence of AI on government policies worldwide. Leaders from both the public and private sectors continue to examine how artificial intelligence can drive economic progress while also protecting users from potential risks.
Several major AI company founders attended an exclusive lunch meeting during the summit. Participants included OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez and Black Forest Labs founder Robin Rombach. Representatives from emerging AI companies, including Japan’s Sakana and India’s Sarvam, also joined the gathering.
According to reports, French officials encouraged technology firms to strengthen safety measures for young internet users. Government representatives urged companies to build stronger protections directly into their AI products and digital platforms. The discussions reflected growing concerns about online safety and the impact of advanced technologies on children and teenagers.
At the same time, Prime Minister Modi continued his diplomatic engagements with several global leaders attending the summit. He met European Council President António Costa, Kenyan President William Ruto and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. These meetings focused on strengthening international cooperation and expanding partnerships across multiple sectors.
Modi also met U.S. President Donald Trump during the summit. Images released from the event showed leaders gathered around a roundtable for official discussions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sat on one side of Modi, while Trump sat on the other.
Artificial intelligence remained a key theme throughout the summit. Governments increasingly view AI as a technology that can reshape industries, public services and national economies. However, leaders also recognize the need for clear safeguards and responsible development practices.
Therefore, conversations between policymakers and technology executives have become more important than ever. Both groups continue to explore ways to balance innovation with security, transparency, and public trust.