Prime Minister Narendra Modi captivated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 audience in New Delhi with his ‘MANAV’ vision, a meticulously crafted roadmap for AI that places humanity at its core. Amid a constellation of world leaders, the event spotlighted India’s proactive stance on responsible AI deployment.
The Foreign Ministry’s vibrant social media updates depicted leaders assembling to champion AI grounded in ethics, democracy, and inclusivity. Modi’s speech cut through the technical jargon, grounding the discussion in timeless human concerns.
He masterfully analogized AI to nuclear power, a technology we’ve witnessed wield both salvation and ruin. ‘The question isn’t AI’s future capabilities,’ Modi stated, ‘but our actions today.’ Urging vigilance, he portrayed AI as a double-edged sword: directionless, it wreaks havoc; directed wisely, it solves humanity’s greatest challenges.
Breaking down ‘MANAV’—Moral & Ethical Values, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible & Inclusive, Valid & Legitimate—Modi presented it as India’s gift to the 21st century. He evoked the image of AI with boundless skies yet tethered by human oversight, akin to GPS navigation where ultimate choice rests with us.
The summit’s resonance extends beyond rhetoric; it signals India’s intent to lead global AI ethics. As Modi concluded, today’s decisions will define legacies across generations, positioning this vision as a clarion call for balanced technological progress.