Modi unveils M.A.N.A.V. Vision at India AI Impact Summit 2026, calls for human-centric global AI framework

New Delhi, February 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19 inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, describing the gathering as the world’s largest and most consequential conclave on artificial intelligence.

Addressing a global audience of leaders, innovators and policymakers, the Prime Minister said hosting the summit was a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire Global South. He highlighted India’s demographic advantage, vast technology talent pool and rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, asserting that the country not only develops new technologies but adopts them at unprecedented speed.

With participation from over 100 countries and representation from more than 20 heads of state and government, the summit has drawn what Modi called the “who’s who” of the AI world. He noted the strong presence of young innovators and said their enthusiastic embrace of AI signalled growing global confidence in the technology. Exhibits showcased AI-driven solutions in agriculture, security, assistance for “divyangjan” (persons with special abilities) and multilingual services, reflecting India’s expanding innovation footprint.

Describing artificial intelligence as a civilisational turning point comparable to the discovery of fire, writing and wireless communication, Modi said AI’s transformative potential lies not only in making machines intelligent but in amplifying human capabilities. However, he stressed that its rapid scale and impact demand responsibility and foresight.

“The real question is not what AI can do for us in the future, but what we choose to do with AI today,” he said, drawing parallels with nuclear technology’s dual-use nature. He underlined that AI must be guided towards human-centric and responsible outcomes.

Presenting India’s M.A.N.A.V. Vision for AI, the Prime Minister outlined five principles: Moral and Ethical Systems; Accountable Governance; National Sovereignty over data; Accessible and Inclusive AI; and Valid and Legitimate frameworks. He said the vision would serve as a roadmap for harnessing AI for humanity’s welfare in the 21st century.

Calling for democratisation of AI, Modi cautioned against reducing individuals to mere data points and argued that AI must remain inclusive, particularly for the Global South. He likened AI to GPS – offering guidance but leaving ultimate control in human hands.

On employment, the Prime Minister said the future of work in the AI era would depend on collective choices. He predicted that AI would enable smarter, more efficient and creative roles while opening new avenues for entrepreneurship and innovation. He urged governments and industry to make skilling, reskilling and lifelong learning a mass movement.

Advocating transparency, Modi said AI should be developed as a “Global Common Good”. He supported open code and collaborative innovation, warning that deepfakes and synthetic content threaten open societies. He proposed authenticity labels for digital content, akin to nutrition labels on food, and called for watermarking and robust source standards to build trust.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for child-safe AI ecosystems and said India sees “fortune and future” in AI, not fear. He welcomed the launch of three Indian AI models and apps during the summit, describing them as proof of the country’s growing technological depth.

Highlighting India’s investments in semiconductors, quantum computing and secure data infrastructure, Modi invited global partners to “Design and Develop in India, Deliver to the World, Deliver to Humanity”. He said India’s diversity, demography and democracy make it an ideal testbed for scalable AI solutions.

Among those present were French President Emmanuel Macron and the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, along with ministers, multilateral representatives and global technology leaders.

The summit, themed ‘Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya’ (Welfare for All, Happiness for All), is structured around seven working groups aligned to the pillars of people, planet and progress. It aims to position India as a global leader in AI while advancing inclusive growth and safeguarding shared global interests.