Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the AI Summit is a moment of pride not only for India but also for the entire South Asia region. He inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. During his speech, he noted that artificial intelligence once faced many doubts. However, today’s youth are using AI in positive and practical ways.
The event drew global attention. The President of France, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Union ministers, and delegates from many nations attended the ceremony. In addition, CEOs and representatives from more than 500 major tech companies took part in the summit.
AI as a Platform for ‘Made in India’
Modi described the summit as a strong platform for “Made in India” innovation and India’s creative growth. He said the gathering has filled Indian youth with new energy. Moreover, he stressed that the platform will help drive new technology breakthroughs and research.
He compared AI to nuclear energy, explaining that humanity has seen both destruction and development from it. Likewise, AI is a double-edged sword. Therefore, he said vision must go hand in hand with social responsibility. Importantly, he added that the final decision on how AI is used should always remain in human hands.
The M.A.N.A.V Vision for AI
The Prime Minister presented a five-pillar AI framework called M.A.N.A.V. It focuses on Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty in data ownership, Accessible and Inclusive growth, and Valid and Legitimate legal systems. Through this vision, he called for AI systems that are fair, transparent, and trustworthy.
He also emphasised the need to democratize AI. According to him, AI should serve the Global South and not remain limited to a few powerful groups. He described AI as a “Global Common Good” that should grow through open development and shared progress.
Human-Centric and Safe AI Future
Modi stressed that AI must remain human-centric. He explained that while AI can guide like a GPS, humans must retain final control. He envisioned a future where humans and intelligent systems co-create and co-evolve to improve efficiency.
Addressing safety concerns, he called for global standards to fight deepfakes and fake digital content. He suggested authenticity labels and watermarking systems to build trust. In addition, he urged the creation of a child-safe and family-guided AI ecosystem.
India’s Role as a Global AI Hub
Highlighting India’s strong tech talent and growing ecosystem, Modi invited the world to “Design and Develop in India, Deliver to the World.” He noted that if an AI model succeeds in India’s diverse environment, it can scale globally. The summit includes seven working groups focusing on People, Planet, and Progress, covering economic growth, social empowerment, and safe AI.
With this summit, India aims to position itself as a responsible and innovative leader in the global AI revolution.
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