Narendra Modi Inaugurates India AI Impact Summit 2026, Unveils M.A.N.A.V. Vision

New Delhi, February 19, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday positioned India at the forefront of the global artificial intelligence movement, declaring that the country is not merely participating in the AI transformation but actively shaping its direction. He was speaking at the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

Addressing a gathering of heads of state, policymakers, technology leaders, startup founders and researchers from over 100 countries, the Prime Minister underscored that artificial intelligence represents a defining shift in human civilisation. He said that while previous technological revolutions unfolded over decades, AI is advancing at an unprecedented scale and speed, demanding both vision and responsibility.

Modi stressed that AI must remain people-centric. He cautioned against a future where individuals are reduced to mere data sets, asserting instead that technology should empower societies—particularly developing nations and the Global South. “AI should expand opportunity, not concentrate power,” he said, calling for its democratisation to ensure broad-based access.

Outlining India’s governance philosophy for emerging technologies, the Prime Minister introduced the M.A.N.A.V. framework for AI development. The framework advocates ethical design, transparent oversight, national data sovereignty, universal accessibility, and legal accountability. According to him, this approach will ensure that AI systems are trustworthy, inclusive and aligned with human values.

He also highlighted India’s strengths in digital infrastructure, skilled manpower and a vibrant startup ecosystem, noting that the country’s scale and diversity make it an ideal testing ground for AI solutions that can later be deployed globally. Inviting international collaboration, he encouraged innovators to design and build in India for global benefit.

On the future of employment, Modi described AI as a catalyst for new industries and creative roles rather than a threat. He called for large-scale skilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for an era in which humans and intelligent systems collaborate closely.

Raising concerns about misinformation and deepfakes, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for global standards, content authentication mechanisms and watermarking protocols to preserve trust in digital ecosystems. He argued that transparency and shared innovation—rather than secrecy—would make AI safer and more reliable.

The summit, themed around universal welfare and shared prosperity, brings together more than 500 global AI leaders, including CEOs, academics, technologists and government representatives. Leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and senior representatives from multilateral institutions were present at the opening ceremony.

With India projecting itself as a hub for secure, affordable and scalable AI solutions, the Prime Minister concluded by urging the global community to commit to developing artificial intelligence as a public good that advances humanity as a whole.