Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 today to outline India’s broader philosophy on artificial intelligence, one that prioritises people, inclusion, and responsibility at the centre of technological progress.
Addressing policymakers, industry leaders, and technologists, Modi said artificial intelligence must move beyond being an elite capability and become accessible to citizens across societies, particularly in the Global South. He argued that AI’s true potential lies in its ability to empower communities, reduce inequalities, and create opportunities at scale, rather than deepen existing divides.
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As part of this vision, the Prime Minister unveiled India’s “MANAV Vision” for AI, a framework designed to guide the ethical and accountable deployment of the technology. The approach emphasises human-centric design, transparency, and governance structures that ensure AI systems remain aligned with social values and democratic principles. According to Modi, building trust in AI is as critical as advancing its technical capabilities, especially as systems move from assisting human decision-making to executing tasks autonomously.
Emmanuel Macron at the Summit
The summit also underscored India’s growing influence in global technology conversations. French President Emmanuel Macron praised India’s digital transformation and described the country’s approach to technology governance as a reference point for the world. Highlighting the need for international cooperation, Macron said like-minded nations must work together to shape the rules that will govern emerging technologies. “We are determined to continue to shape the rules of the game,” he said, pointing to India as a key partner in that effort.
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Together, the remarks reflected a shared view that artificial intelligence is no longer just a technical challenge but a policy and governance issue with far-reaching social consequences.
